Paul O'Connell lifts the trophy 16/3/2014It was a spectacular weekend of success for Ireland on the international stage, fitting perhaps for the weekend that was in it.
Pride of place undoubtedly goes to the Irish rugby team who provided 80 minutes of drama and glory in Paris on Saturday evening that could barely have been scripted.  Brian O’Driscoll still took centre stage as he bade his farewell to the green jersey but Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray, Paul O’Driscoll and the rest were equally in the spotlight as the game swung back and forth before the final two point margin and the RBS 6 Nations title was secured.
There was a big crowd at Dublin Airport on Sunday to welcome the team back and the positive mood continued for the sport when news emerged about the 99% agreement on a replacement for the Heineken Cup which will secure the strength of Irish provinces.
Saturday’s drama had been foreshadowed on Friday when Ireland through Lord Windermere and Davy Russell secured the Cheltenham Gold Cup, again in the most dramatic of fashions.  Broken bones and crashing falls preceded the big race which then had to go through the rigours of a live televised stewards enquiry before the win was sealed.
It was the our first victory in the blue riband of jump racing since 2006 and capped another fine festival for Ireland with 13 of the 27 winners trained in Ireland, 22 ridden by Irish jockeys and 15 bred in Ireland.  Willie Mullins, Ruby Walsh and Michael O’Leary also brought home the respective titles for leading trainer, jockey and owner at the meeting.
Further afield in Bangladesh the Irish Cricket team beat Zimbabwe on the final ball of their 2020 World Cup preliminary group. This was thought to be the biggest danger in the group of four from which one team will emerge to play the Super 10 round against  England, Sri Lanka, South Africa and New Zealand starting next week.