Saturday's narrow 28-24 defeat to the All Blacks saw Ireland exit the World Cup at the quarter final stage, and Johnny Sexton line out for the Boys in Green for the 117th and final time.
Upon reflection, Sexton who also spent some time on the pitch with his son Luca afterwards, said that his main regret is that he was unable to help the team give the fans that quarter final victory they craved, with the Green Army rejoicing at victories over Scotland and South Africa in previous weeks.
“We [the Irish] get behind the team like no other. It’s incredible and it’s not wasted on us, and that’s why it is so hard to take really, that we didn’t give them another couple of weekends”, says Sexton.
He added, “But like Faz [Andy Farrell] said, it’s small margins and that’s sport. That’s life. It’s unfortunate but this group will bounce back”.
“They are an incredible bunch led by the man beside me. It’s the best group I have ever been apart of. Bar none”, he insisted.
“These guys will go on and achieve great things and I’ll be sitting in the stand having a pint like you lads”.
“It’s gutting that we couldn’t finish it off. Going back to that maul, when you’re over the line, it’s tough to take”, Sexton added. “Just a kick, if you’re chasing a penalty, it’s a lot easier at the end, but we left it all out there at least”.
Check out a wholesome moment between Sexton and his son Luca on the pitch after Ireland's loss to New Zealand,
