We must learn from double sporting loss

TO FIND ourselves falling flat on our faces for one world cup campaign might have been called a misfortune, but to have done so twice veers towards carelessness. Shoulder to shoulder, we have been sent careering out of the running for hosting one and competing in another.

The 5-1 drubbing in Dublin at the hands of the Danes was clear-cut, if brutal. They were much better than us and we did our best with that we had.

It has been said that disappointment is a type of bankruptcy – a type which afflicts those who over-invest in hope. In that, we are guilty as charged.

But our finishing third out of three in our attempt to host Rugby World Cup 2023 is less easily understood or excused.

The IRB decision appeared to come down on the side of the bid that looked like generating the most money.

The wheels of commerce may be oiled with the sweat and blood of the players in professional sport, but it is cold, hard cash that courses through its veins, and this should not have come as a surprise to the IRFU.

A huge amount of time and effort went into the Irish bid and yet it foundered. When the final whistle blew, the honours went to France. In the initial 139-page evaluation report, Ireland finished third. South Africa came first by some distance. But we were told not to worry, this was only the warm-up. All was still to play for. Yet, after even more huffing and puffing, we finished third again.

Now that we know we have definitely lost, the question is: have we learned anything?