Ireland's Grand Slam Glory is the official story of Ireland's 2009 RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam on DVD. It features all 5 matches, in their entirety, from Ireland's turbulent and glorious path towards clinching their 2nd Grand Slam title, plus pre-match build-ups and post-match interviews, and an interview with Irish 1948 Grand Slam legend, George Hook.
Ireland had been so close on several occasions in recent years to clinching the ultimate prize in Northern Hemisphere rugby but had so far agonisingly failed by the narrowest of margins. With a team featuring many players at their peak, 2009 would represent Ireland's best chance of a 6 Nations Grand Slam.
The 6 Nations Championship began with Wales as favourites. The opening match at Croke Park saw Ireland impressively defeat France by 30-21, with tries from Heaslip, O'Driscoll and D'Arcy. It was a good start.
This was followed by a comfortable and expected win over Italy at the Stadio Flaminio by 38-9, with tries from Bowe, Fitzgerald (2), Wallace and O'Driscoll.
With Wales losing in France on the 6 Nations first ever Friday fixture, Ireland had the chance to top the table if they could defeat a, so far, poor England team at Croke Park. England put on a much improved performance but Ireland scraped through by the narrowest of margins, 14-13. Only one try this time from, yes who else, the impressive Brian O'Driscoll.
Next up was Murrayfield. Scotland were very much in the running and lead at half time. Ireland came storming back in the second half and clinched the game by 22-15, with Heaslip scoring the only try.
So, Ireland had won 4 out of 4, and only victory at the Millennium Stadium stood in their way of the Grand Slam! It was the 21st March, 2009, and it was the final game of the RBS 2009 Championship. Wales would win the 6 Nations if they could beat Ireland by at least 13 points. In the crowd was Jack Kyle, a key member of Ireland's first Grand Slam in 1948 - would he witness a second Grand Slam? The tension was unbearable.
The first half was very tight and only two penalties, from Stephen Jones, separated the teams at half time. It must have been a masterly half time talk from Declan Kidney - within a few minutes of the restart Ireland scored two quick tries, from Brian O'Driscoll and Tommy Bowe, and were ahead in the game for the first time. Thousands of Irish supporters were beginning to believe.
However, Irish hearts were broken by Stephen Jones as he, first of all, succeeded with a penalty and then dropped a goal with only minutes remaining to put Wales ahead by just one point. But Ireland re-grouped and drove into the 22, secured good possession and fed the ball to Ronan O'Gara whose drop goal attempt sailed gloriously between the posts to restore Ireland's lead. Only a minute or so to go, surely the Grand Slam was Ireland's...
But the agony only intensified from excruciating to unbearable as Paddy Wallace gave away a penalty just inside the Irish half. As the clock turned red this was to be the last play of the game and Stephen Jones was about to win the game for Wales? The ball was struck cleanly and heading towards the posts and...fell just a few, wonderful, feet short! Ireland cleared into touch and had won the match.
Ireland 2009 Triple Crown Champions, Ireland 2009 RBS 6 Nations Champions, Ireland 2009 Grand Slam Champions! Sounds good, doesn't it!
Now you can marvel at Ireland's Grand Slam Glory on this superb 3 disc DVD set, and relive all the games, tries and excitement from Ireland's roller coaster road towards clinching the 2009 RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam.