As disappointing as Ireland's Rugby World Cup quarter-final exit at the hands of New Zealand was, the result was even tougher to take due to the fact that it also brought the curtain down on the career of Johnny Sexton.
There were hopes that the 38-year old would be given the ultimate sendoff in France, with Ireland having performed very well in the tournament up to that point. Unfortunately, there was to be no fairytale ending for the out-half.
With his playing days now behind him, Johnny Sexton was in a reflective mood when addressing his retirement in the aftermath of the team's elimination. He said that while he was hugely disappointed with how things had ultimately gone at the World Cup, the way the team captured the public's imagination meant that 'we lost, but we won'.
One other iconic Irish sportsman is not buying that statement.
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Pat Spillane not impressed with Johnny Sexton retirement statement
Pat Spillane is a huge fan of Johnny Sexton, comparing his elite mentality to that of Michael Jordan, Roy Keane, and Spillane himself during his time with Kerry.
However, he was less enamoured with the statement the player released after this year's Rugby World Cup.
Writing in the Sunday World, Spillane said he could not believe that someone with the standards of Johnny Sexton would attempt to claim victory after such a damaging defeat. He would go on to say that this claim was reflective of Irish rugby as a whole.
I was taken aback by his retirement statement would be the understatement of the month.
He said that four years ago the Irish squad had sat down and spoke about what they wanted to achieve.
“Our main motivation and objective was to inspire the nation. I think we have achieved that. We lost, but we won,” said the statement.
What? We lost, but we won?
This was the most un-Sexton quote ever. It is pure gobbledygook which might be normal coming from some PR guru, but not from a born winner.
Christ, can you imagine Jack O’Connor and the Kerry players telling the Kerry fans “we lost, but we won” after being beaten by Dublin in the All-Ireland final? They would have been ran out of the county if they were foolish enough to make such a statement.
I suppose his statement reflects the stark difference between how Gaelic football (and hurling) is perceived in Ireland compared to rugby.
The rugby fraternity appear to be happy with world rankings and wins in autumn Tests.
While Pat Spillane is a huge fan of Johnny Sexton, it is clear that he is not impressed by the mentality present within Irish rugby.
Until they can get over the line at a World Cup, that view is unlikely to change.
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