02/10/2007
Defiant O'Sullivan's Faith In Ireland
Defiant Ireland rugby coach Eddie O'Sullivan remains confident that the national side's rout is not permanent.
The coach who was recently handed a four year contract, has been under sustained pressure since Ireland in a series of lame performances exited the Rugby World Cup at the hands of a vastly superior Argentine team.
O'Sullivan remains adamant that Irish fortunes can be restored and has denied that the damage is "irreversible".
But he admitted that the World Cup has been a "huge disappointment" as he maintained that the team could get back to where it was.
He pointed out that the despair over the exit had been exacerbated by Ireland's recent successes following expectations raised by good performances.
O'Sullivan said: "It's very easy to build a team up for the performances they've given, the commitment and the skills they've shown, and then when it goes wrong, use that as a bigger stick to beat them with.
"That's the harsh part of this business but the lads accept and understand it."
Irish Rugby Football Union Chief Executive Philip Browne has given O'Sullivan his full backing and said that the head coach's recent four-year contract would be honoured.
(SP)
The coach who was recently handed a four year contract, has been under sustained pressure since Ireland in a series of lame performances exited the Rugby World Cup at the hands of a vastly superior Argentine team.
O'Sullivan remains adamant that Irish fortunes can be restored and has denied that the damage is "irreversible".
But he admitted that the World Cup has been a "huge disappointment" as he maintained that the team could get back to where it was.
He pointed out that the despair over the exit had been exacerbated by Ireland's recent successes following expectations raised by good performances.
O'Sullivan said: "It's very easy to build a team up for the performances they've given, the commitment and the skills they've shown, and then when it goes wrong, use that as a bigger stick to beat them with.
"That's the harsh part of this business but the lads accept and understand it."
Irish Rugby Football Union Chief Executive Philip Browne has given O'Sullivan his full backing and said that the head coach's recent four-year contract would be honoured.
(SP)
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