O'Connell rues 'disappointing' championship
Paul O'Connell
Paul O'Connell admitted Ireland had endured an anti-climatic ending to their Six Nations by failing to complete their fifth Triple Crown in seven years.
The defending champions had hoped to give Croke Park a triumphant send-off but were toppled by a superb Scotland performance, despite scoring tries through Brian O’Driscoll and Tommy Bowe.
“It’s been a disappointing championship. Two defeats is more than we wanted at the start,” said the Lions captain.
“We’re an excellent side and we want to win things. Unfortunately now we’re coming away empty handed so we’re disappointed with the way it’s gone.”
Ireland were undermined by losing seven out of 17 lineouts, a rare misfire in what is traditionally one of their strongest areas of the game.
“The lineouts were disappointing. They defended them very well and we made a few mistakes ourselves. We struggled in that area today unfortunately,” said O’Connell.
