Brian O'Driscoll was a happy and relieved man after Ireland beat Wales 17-15 in a drama-packed Six Nations finale.
Wales skipper magnanimous in defeat
Brian O'Driscoll was a happy and relieved man after Ireland beat Wales 17-15 in a drama-packed Six Nations finale, to win the Grand Slam for the first time in 61 years.
Stephen Jones missed a last-gasp penalty which would have snatched victory for the home side at the Millennium Stadium and Ireland skipper O'Driscoll said: "The amount of things going through the head during the week, permutations of what might be... It feels so good and to go down to that at the end, it would have broken my heart.
"I'm so proud of the boys, we took a lot of flak the last 18 months and to come back and win I'm so delighted."
Ireland trailed 6-0 at half-time and O'Driscoll revealed what coach Declan Kidney said to inspire the turnaround.
"He said we were still completely in it, we hadn't converted our pressure into points and we came out firing and got two quick tries.
"We couldn't have asked for a more dramatic end than that, for Stephen to miss that penalty by a yard."
Kidney joked: "It was never in doubt! "It's 80 minutes and you take what's there at the end, some days it swings for you and some days it doesn't. This is all due to the groundwork laid over the last few years.
Special
"Hopefully everybody will have a good night, it's very special."
Of his missed penalty, Jones added: "It was going straight but just didn't have the legs. The last five minutes went through the full range of emotions, it's tough to come out second best.
"We showed good composure to get back into the game, it was disappointing to concede those quick 14 points but we stuck at it.
"Ireland played smart rugby but from our perspective it was disappointing."
Asked about the Six Nations as a whole, Jones added: "We've played well in patches, we've not played well for 80 minutes and that's been frustrating. "We have to look at that and come back bigger and better."
Wales captain Ryan Jones said: "It was two teams going hammers and tongs for 80 minutes and that's how close it is.
Fantastic
"I had everything crossed hoping the penalty went over but it didn't but take nothing away from Ireland, they got what they deserved and played very well today.
"They've come away from home and done it and shown fantastic composure and discipline and ground out the victories that win you championships."
