Slam keeps the green party going

Emotional Sexton lifts trophy as Ireland claim England win

- SHANE POWER and LOUISE BURNE

IRELAND rugby fans went wild at the Aviva Stadium yesterday as Andy Farrell’s men won the Grand Slam on St Patrick’s weekend. 

The hard fought 29-16 triumph over England gave them their fourth ever Grand Slam victory – and a first secured on home soil since 1948.

Fans sang the team home to record the piece of history as they became the first Irish team to lift the trophy in the Dublin stadium.

Captain Johnny Sexton broke the Six Nations points record surpassing Ronan O’Gara as the tournament’s all-time leading scorer.

The 37-year-old left the field with a groin injury before the final whistle but he got his dream Six Nations sign off at the Aviva Stadium. A capacity crowd at the Lansdowne Road venue rose to salute their heroes and celebrate a phenomenal win on home turf.

Visibly emotional after playing his final Six Nations game in Dublin, Sexton seemed almost lost for words.

He said: “You couldn’t make it up, it’s like living in a dream, actually wondering will I wake up in the morning.

“We didn’t play our best but bloody hell what a team. To come here, get a win on St Patrick’s weekend, it’s unbelievable. What a day.