When Johnny Sexton’s time to retire finally arrived, tears were almost certain.
One of rugby’s greatest creative geniuses wrote a thrilling farewell to his career in a city known for love, art, and literature.
After fourteen years of development, the storyline was finally completed with a sudden lack of romance and a fairytale finale, but it was still full of drama and emotion.
Ireland captain Sexton remarked, “It’s small margins and that’s sport,” following his team’s heartbreaking 28-24 loss to New Zealand on Saturday night.
Such is life. Isn’t it gut-wrenching?
Arguably the best player in his country, Sexton is about to retire.
However, he fails to fulfil his ambition of becoming a world champion after suffering the sorrow of an all too common elimination in the quarterfinals on the grandest platform.
The 38-year-old made his fourth World Cup departure and his country’s eighth overall, standing with his hands on his hips and his head lowered on the Stade de France touchline after the full-time whistle.
The final act for the prominent fly-half was always going to take place in Paris, where he spent two seasons with Racing 92 in between trophy-filled stints with Leinster.
Ireland moved to Saint-Denis for the remaining of their 2023 World Cup matches, a minimum of two and a maximum of five, after enjoyable stays in Bordeaux and Nantes.
There would only be three, thanks to the fearsome All Blacks.
Weeping in front of the world and receiving consoling words from his son Luca, Sexton bid adieu. “Dad, you remain the greatest.”
The record-breaking Ireland career of the 2018 World Player of the Year started in 2009 against Fiji, with 118 caps and 1,108 points.
His last few months as a professional were an intense roller coaster that seemed to be about to go off course at moments.
In the process of travelling to France, several injuries and a widely reported suspension drama had to be overcome.
After the last World Cup ended in a loss to New Zealand in the round of eight, Sexton was named Ireland’s captain despite some commentators and former players arguing he was already past his prime.
However, the unyielding taskmaster, who possessed a strong competitive spirit and a tendency to irritate opponents, had different plans.
After a little bumpy beginning to his captaincy amid the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic, he and the team prospered under Andy Farrell’s skillful man-management.
Maybe the summer of 2021 was a turning point.
Warren Gatland passed on Sexton, a two-time British and Irish Lion tourist, for the series in South Africa. Sexton later admitted that the rejection “hurt like hell.”
But Ireland most likely profited from the loss, as the explosive out-half had some time off and came back with renewed energy.
But Ireland most likely profited from the loss, as the explosive out-half had some time off and came back with renewed energy.
In 2022, he led his side to a Six Nations Triple Crown. He then led them to a historic series victory in New Zealand, which sparked a 17-match winning streak, propelled Ireland to the top of the world rankings, and earned him a third nomination for world player of the year.
While teammate Josh van der Flier won the trophy, Sexton continued his comeback by leading Ireland to their maiden Grand Slam victory, which was achieved in Dublin with a 29-16 victory over England.
“I think the greatest player to have ever played for Ireland is able to sign off on a Grand Slam, and it’s incredibly fitting.”
However, Ireland perhaps benefited from the defeat since the dynamic out-half returned to action after taking a break.
He guided his team to a Six Nations Triple Crown in 2022. It was followed by a historic series win in New Zealand that put Ireland on top of the world rankings, ignited a 17-match winning streak, and earned him a third nomination for world player of the year.
Sexton completed his comeback by leading Ireland to their first Grand Slam triumph, which was accomplished in Dublin with a 29-16 victory over England, while teammate Josh van der Flier took home the trophy.
“I believe that the best player who have ever represented Ireland can approve a Grand
That being said, Ireland might have profited from the loss because the explosive out-half resumed play following a break.
In 2022, he led his squad to a Six Nations Triple Crown. Then came a historic series victory in New Zealand, which vaulted Ireland to the top of the world rankings, started a winning run of 17 games, and got him nominated for a third World Player of the Year award.
Sexton’s comeback was capped off when he helped Ireland win their maiden Grand Slam match, defeating England 29–16 in Dublin. Teammate Josh van der Flier was awarded the trophy.
“In my opinion, the greatest player to have ever played for Ireland is qualified to approve a Grand
The fact that nine-year-old Luca was the team mascot added to the agony of his three-match suspension, which was imposed for his “confrontational and aggressive” actions towards referee Jaco Peyper during Leinster’s dramatic Heineken Champions Cup final loss to La Rochelle.
Sexton missed a total of 175 days due to injury, but he showed the no-excuses attitude that Farrell frequently promoted by coming back strong at the beginning of his final tournament.
With a 24-point performance in the opening victory over Romania, he made history as his country’s oldest international and the top World Cup scorer. A week later, in the victory over Tonga, he overtook longtime rival Ronan O’Gara for the overall points record.
Tens of thousands of travelling fans sang the team’s World Cup anthem, “Zombie” by The Cranberries, during thrilling triumphs in Paris against South Africa and Scotland, stoking hopes that this would be Ireland’s year.
However, the three-time world champions dashed the fantasy, leaving a dejected Sexton to hang up his boots in the midst of a whirlwind of emotions.
Regarding the atmosphere that Farrell created, he remarked, “Everyone runs into camp and never wants to leave-it’s an incredible place to be and that’s what I’ll miss the most.”
It’s debatable whether Sexton ranks highest in the hierarchy of Ireland’s all-time greats.
It is indisputable that he leaves behind a profound legacy and a hole that will be very challenging to fill.
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