Follow us on Facebook

Kidney targets Triple Crown

by setantasports.com staff , 17 March 2010

Ireland coach Declan Kidney insists that the Triple Crown is as important as ever, as they look to complete three victories over the 'home' countries of the RBS 6 Nations.


Victory over Scotland at Croke Park on Saturday would see the Irish win the Triple Crown (of beating the three countries of the British Isles) for the fifth time in seven years.

Kidney insists Ireland will not take the prize for granted, despite Ireland's domination of England, Scotland and Wales in recent years.

"A genuine sports supporter would never become blase about winning a Triple Crown," he said.

"Once we start taking things for granted and being blase ... just look what happened to the economy.

"The economy took a hit when we were maybe taking things for granted there.

"We have a good bunch of players and it would be a terrible shame if we let this opportunity slip though our fingers. Chances like this are rare enough."

Saturday's game ends a four-year spell at Croke Park, as the Aviva Stadium, the newly-built Lansdowne Road, will be open in August.

Kidney admits that the players will miss playing at the national stadium of the GAA.

"It means a huge amount to the players to have been able to play at Croke Park," he said.

"Most of our lads coming up through the age groups would have tried most of the codes - hurling, football, soccer.

"Everyone will have taken a good look at finals days when they were growing up. Now we're playing there in front of a full house.

"It's an exceptional stadium, as good as anything around the world.

"For an amateur organisation to build a stadium like that was a magnificent achievement.

"To have the use of their facilities over the last four years has been a genuine privilege.

"A lot of the lads are looking forward to Saturday because internationals are not going to held there again. The biggest thing was the GAA's generosity and the fact they were willing to share it."

Subscribe Now
Live sports online on Setanta-i
Setanta Facebook
Sign Up
tv highlights

February 15, 2012

6:45 pm ET   Wolves v West Brom

Full coverage from the Barclays Premier League 2011/12

8:30 pm ET   Zenit v Benifica

Russia's Zenit St Petersburg, in the Champions League knockout rounds for the very first time, entertain a Benfica side making their first appearance at this stage since 2006.

10:15 pm ET   Milan v Arsenal

Full coverage of the UEFA Champions League 2011-2012.

Premium Sports Canada

Setanta Sports broadcasts exclusively live coverage of the best premium sport including Barclays Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup,  nPower Championship, Carling Cup, Russian Premier League, Heineken Cup, Tri Nations, RBS 6 Nations, Aviva Premiership, Super Rugby, Gaelic Sports and much more.

Edit Web Part Contents