A tearful Johnny Sexton appeared at the post-match press conference after his dreams of a fairytale ending were dashed by the All Blacks in an absorbing quarter-final contest on Saturday.
After Sexton led them to 17 successive Test wins, including a historic series win in New Zealand, many had thought this Irish side would finally break the World Cup glass ceiling and reach the semi-finals.The 38-year-old described the defeat as “gutting” because of the small margins involved — including when Ronan Kelleher was held up over the line with minutes remaining.
“How can you be prouder to be Irish when you see what’s happened over the last six weeks really?” said Sexton, of the tens of thousands of Irish fans who had turned the Stade de France into a sea of green for two consecutive weekends. “They are an incredible bunch led by the man beside me,” he said, gesturing to head coach Andy Farrell.“The last couple of years have definitely been, in a green jersey anyway, the most enjoyable of my career,” added Sexton. “Definitely.
“The impact that he’s had on the rest of the team over the last four years has been amazing, and the way that he’s conducted himself as a leader and as a player and the way that he’s shown the love playing for Ireland will be remembered and connected to this group for many years to come.”“He’s been outstanding for Ireland for a very long time, as long as I’ve been playing against Ireland,” said Cane.“Congratulations Johnny on an outstanding career.
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