We're not a rugby nation, we are a sports nation!

Ireland’s exit from the Rugby World Cup on Saturday night last had little or no effect on me although as a child back in the 1970s, the 5 Nations series was compulsive viewing in our house. There was no tradition of rugby in our family, but my mother’s mother was Welsh, and you could always hear a pin drop in our sitting room when Bill McLaren prompted his television audience that the anthems were just about to begin, especially when he commentated from the Cardiff Arms Park. As anthems go Land of My Fathers is certainly a catchy tune and my grandmother always paid it due reverence during the tournament remembering her place of birth which coincidently was only a drive and a five iron from the national stadium.

Not only did I become familiar with the Welsh anthem but in the same way children nowadays can name foreign players who play for their team in the Premier League, I too became familiar with the towns that produced those Welsh rugby legends; Pontypridd, Aberavon, Ebbw Vale and Llanelli to name but four. Back in that era when gambling was allowed amongst family, I lost a fortune to my grandmother on the outcome of Welsh rugby matches but my passion for the oval ball game was a solid as Graham Price, Bobby Windsor and Charlie Faulkner - the Pontypool front row. However, with the introduction of the residency rule which allowed players to qualify to play at international level for countries other than their country of birth, my passion was extinguished immediately.

The aftermath of Ireland’s defeat to New Zealand has been very disappointing with an unsavoury tone been aimed at the players, the media, and Ireland’s Call for the perceived failure of the team in once again not getting passed the quarter final stage of the tournament. In my opinion there is no place for such commentary amongst the Irish sporting public and it is an aspect of our culture that I am embarrassed about. We are a proud sports nation, not everybody has to like rugby, GAA, football, horse racing, rowing, boxing or even golf but we should count our blessings that we are sports fans and Ireland punches above its weight more often than not.

In golfing terms our next “World Cup” moment arrives next April when Rory McIlroy attempts yet again to win the Masters and achieve golfing’s Grand Slam. Like the Irish Rugby team Rory has come in for unjust criticism about his fluctuating form, his nationality and his failure to maximise his potential especially in the Majors. I can only hope that if he comes up short again at Augusta next year, the keyboards warriors who populate social media with derogatory comment from the cheap seats will tone their commentary down. However, if the emerald jacket comes home to Holywood, I will be laughing very loudly and for a very long time.