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Andy Farrell with his grandson, Freddie. Billy Stickland/INPHO

Andy Farrell: 'We're a good side that has nowhere near reached its potential'

Ireland will celebrate the Grand Slam but the World Cup is already in view.

THE MESSAGE FROM Andy Farrell and Johnny Sexton post-match was clear.

They want to celebrate this Grand Slam as it should be celebrated. So we can rest assured that Ireland will paint the town red over the next 48 hours. This clean sweep of the Six Nations has been hard-earned and huge achievements like this don’t come around often, so they will bask in the warm glow of each other’s company now.

But both men underlined more than once that this is just another point along the way, rather than the end of the journey.

The destination they have in mind is the World Cup final in Paris on 28 October.

Ireland have earned their status as the number one team in the world. Home advantage means France will be many people’s World Cup favourites, while New Zealand and South Africa will be fancied too.

It’s not helpful that they’re all on Ireland’s side of the draw, with the Boks in their pool, but this Irish team has serious ambitions and the quality to match.

“I’ve just been saying to Johnny that there is bigger fish to fry than this,” said Farrell after his side’s 29-16 win over England sealed the Grand Slam.

“So, we are on to the World Cup. Now, we are just going to enjoy the next 48 hours 100%.

“We’re a good side that has nowhere near reached its potential. I’ve been saying over the last couple of weeks that’s what we have been striving to do. We’ll get a few people back [from injury] to compete, and train hard.

“Everyone is going to get better in the summer when we get to spend more time together. We expect our side when we get to the first game in the World Cup to be a lot better than what we are now and that’s the reality.”

Ireland captain Sexton paid tribute to the job Farrell has done in building this Irish machine, leading them to a series success in New Zealand and a Triple Crown last year, and now a Grand Slam in 2023.

“Since day one, he has put his own stamp on it,” said Sexton.

“I think the best thing about him is he hasn’t changed one bit from going from assistant to head coach, he’s still very popular even with the lads he doesn’t pick!

johnny-sexton-lifts-the-guinness-six-nations-trophy-after-winning-the-grand-slam Sexton lifts the Six Nations trophy. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

“He’s been able to, how do I put it, bounce back after I was taken off in France [and shook his head while leaving the pitch in Paris in 2020]. That was a low point, a real low point for me. And this is a high point but I hope it’s not the highest point.

“He’s a very special coach. When you have him, Paul O’Connell, Simon Easterby, Mike Catt, and John Fogarty motivating you during the week, it’s a pretty special dressing room to be part of. All credit to him really for putting it together.

“Roll on the World Cup, that’s what we need to focus on now.”

As for the feelings tonight, Ireland boss Farrell found it hard to put into words.

“I don’t actually know,” said Farrell. “I don’t know whether to laugh or cry, a bit sad. I don’t know.

“It’s a weird feeling at this moment in time. I’m just elated for the boys, just to get it over the line. Because it meant so much for them, especially being here, at home. Only the fourth one in Irish history, you know? And the first one at home [in Dublin].

“It’s a special occasion, especially with the weekend that’s been, outside our hotel, you know what I mean? So we felt a duty that we couldn’t let people down. I would say there is a sense of relief to get the job done. But immensely proud.

“Grand Slams are not just won on nights like this. They’re won not just over the eight-year period but all the time that we’ve been together, we’ve been building towards this. I’m just glad we got the job done.”

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    Mute Teddy
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    Jun 5th 2020, 2:52 PM

    Well for to everyone on our island who stuck to the rules of lockdown – allowing us to come out the far side quicker that anticipated!

    175
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    Mute Pat Kelly
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    Jun 5th 2020, 3:09 PM

    @Teddy: pitty the government didn’t stick to there own rules No quarantine, No testing on people coming in the country & the care homes lies…

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    Mute Ricky Spanish
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    Jun 5th 2020, 6:16 PM

    @Pat Kelly: for God sake give it a rest. They’ve done a pretty good job overall.

    28
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    Mute Joe Johnson
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    Jun 5th 2020, 2:58 PM

    Great need a new pair of slippers. Old ones worn out walking around the house.

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    Mute John Baylon
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    Jun 5th 2020, 3:30 PM

    @Joe Johnson: Hope your new slippers will ease the need for health care workers to continue their wearing of ppe when this is over

    11
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    Mute Oliver Walker
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    Jun 5th 2020, 2:46 PM

    The ‘Open the country’ brigade will be happy with that. Quick turnaround though…

    50
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    Mute Peter Hughes
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    Jun 5th 2020, 2:52 PM

    @Oliver Walker: You obviously don’t work or in a job that is not affected by this….put yourself in someones shoes that has mortgages to pay and needs to put food on the table, you people are so selfish its unreal…its all me me me.

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    Mute Oliver Walker
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    Jun 5th 2020, 2:58 PM

    @Peter Hughes: No Peter, I was temporarily laid off in March, thanks.

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    Mute Joe
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    Jun 5th 2020, 2:59 PM

    @Oliver Walker: great news and completely sensible!

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    Mute Oliver Walker
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    Jun 5th 2020, 3:10 PM

    @Peter Hughes: Where did I mention that Peter?

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    Mute Declan Leonard
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    Jun 5th 2020, 3:15 PM

    @Peter Hughes: try seeing the sarcasm in his 1st message

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    Mute Jake Kelly
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    Jun 5th 2020, 3:00 PM

    If they didn’t reopen shops people would be mad, if they reopened shops people would be mad. Not praising the government or anything but no matter what choices they made today they’d be angering someone who probably can’t see the complexity of the issues from a financial well-being standpoint. Health and safety standards are going to be changed to accommodate things but the longer things remained shut the greater the chance of economic decimation grew day by day. As it is things still won’t be normal and the effects will be felt for a long time

    45
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    Mute Sharp Elsi Mate
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    Jun 5th 2020, 2:46 PM

    Shops that sell pints of porter and have the added convenicene of sitting down and drinking it there also? Too far….

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    Mute Luke Redmond
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    Jun 5th 2020, 2:50 PM

    The march was the catalyst for this imo
    Public opinion had swung against them

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    Mute Sharp Elsi Mate
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    Jun 5th 2020, 3:09 PM

    @Luke Redmond: #PaddysLifesMatter

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    Mute John fitzpatrick
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    Jun 5th 2020, 4:11 PM

    @Luke Redmond: the majority of people were against the march and still are. It’s still breaking the mass gathering rule and still a liability.

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    Mute Luke Redmond
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    Jun 5th 2020, 4:53 PM

    @John fitzpatrick: I totally agree
    Maybe I wasn’t clear
    The march shouldn’t have happened and the fact it did turned public opinion against restrictions as it undermined them

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    Mute Darryl Canning
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    Jun 5th 2020, 2:57 PM

    When can I get a haircut?

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    Mute Marie Louise Ryan
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    Jun 5th 2020, 2:56 PM

    Scroll to comments section, is Penny’s opening

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    Mute Logan Shepherd
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    Jun 5th 2020, 2:59 PM

    @Marie Louise Ryan: As long as they are not in a shopping center then they can open. Fingers crossed for you ..

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    Mute Trish O'Leary-Dunne
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    Jun 5th 2020, 3:11 PM

    @Marie Louise Ryan: Pennys said they aren’t ready to open on Monday sadly.

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    Mute Nell foran
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    Jun 5th 2020, 3:32 PM

    This acceleration is madness it doesn’t give time to check if the numbers go up.

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    Mute Symbolism
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    Jun 5th 2020, 3:06 PM

    Is all browsing banned or just leisurely browsing ?

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    Mute whatistheseason
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    Jun 5th 2020, 4:15 PM

    Black pints matter – open the pubs!

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    Mute Modern Irish Dad
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    Jun 5th 2020, 2:54 PM

    That’s good I like my local

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    Mute Martin Smith
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    Jun 5th 2020, 3:32 PM

    Leo be happy that he can return home now after having to relocate to farmleigh so that he could meet his mates for a few cans in the park

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    Mute John fitzpatrick
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    Jun 5th 2020, 4:12 PM

    @Martin Smith: Yawn!!

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    Mute Chewns
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    Jun 5th 2020, 2:54 PM

    Barbers opening?

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    Mute Anthony Whelan
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    Jun 5th 2020, 3:06 PM

    @Chewns: July 20

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    Mute Noel O'Neill
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    Jun 5th 2020, 3:18 PM

    Public transport is driving people to use their own cars, different drivers are been selected as to how many people they let on, also all very well for these places to open and I’m not against it but to the HSE who should be working in tandem with the phases and getting people their appointments for different health reasons should be opening as well

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    Mute Fionn Darland
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    Jun 5th 2020, 2:56 PM

    Great news!

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    Mute james r
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    Jun 5th 2020, 4:39 PM

    The funniest thing is how people reacting. Yesterday they were crying that they’re so scared as virus is spreading and they were ringing garda when their neighbours went to the beach and today they’re so happy that they can go sunbathing or to shops with thousands others. Where is logic in it? Are they really so stupid that yesterday they believed we’ll all die and today there is no danger anymore just because government told them? Stupidness is everywhere

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    Mute Daniel Roche
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    Jun 5th 2020, 5:13 PM

    @james r: are you still telling lies, would you ever grow up.

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    Mute mar
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    Jun 5th 2020, 6:03 PM

    @james r: Completely agree. This whole situation really has been an eye-opener.

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    Mute Dermot O'Reilly
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    Jun 5th 2020, 7:11 PM

    All churches remain closed

    Thanks to unelected dictator Varadakar

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