CUP, UP, UP AND AWAY FOR SKIPPER

to captain your country. I thought we showed it the utmost respect today.”

Ireland claimed a hard-earned victory over Triple Crown chasing Scotland to secure their 16th championship title, with tries from Dan Sheehan and Andrew Porter sealing it.

For O’mahony, who was winning the title for a fifth time, it was probably the best of them all – even if it didn’t come with a Grand Slam this time.

“Unbelievably special,” he said. “This is probably the most special. It was a tough week that we put down as a group.

“I said to it Andy on the way in here, it was a tough week and it was probably one of the toughest days I put down to nerves beforehand.

“Chatting to a few fellas, they were in the same boat, which was nice, but it’s 100% up there with one of the most special days of my career, if not the most (special).” The team’s youngest player, Joe Mccarthy, described O’mahony (left, with his family) as the “heartbeat” of the game afterwards. Head coach Andy Farrell said that O’mahony has to do whatever is right for him. “I’ve been a big fan of Pete all the way through his career and had a close enough relationship to be honest with one another,” said Farrell.

“And we’ve been talking about his career, certainly when it’s getting towards the end, for the last year.”

Farrell believes there is more to come from his team with the summer trip to South Africa up next.

“I sure hope so,” he remarked. “It was a fantastic campaign. I reckon the loss last week (to England) will be the best thing for us.”