O'Sullivan "committed" to Ireland
There have been calls from fans for Eddie O'Sullivan to resign
Monday, 01, Oct 2007 09:30
Ireland head coach Eddie O'Sullivan says he is "committed to the job" despite his side's shock early exit from the Rugby World Cup.
O'Sullivan's men slumped to their second defeat of a disappointing pool D campaign against Argentina yesterday, meaning they will be on an early flight home.
The Pumas progress alongside hosts France from what was a tough pool, but Ireland also struggled to beat minnows Namibia and Georgia in what was a distinctly uninspiring World Cup bid.
And O'Sullivan, who signed a new contract on the eve of the tournament to continue as head coach with the national side until at least 2011, said he would look to rebuild his beleaguered side ahead of the 2008 Six Nations.
"I am totally committed to this job. I have a contract and I intend to honour it," he said.
"I have the appetite for the job and I want to see it out. This is a tough moment and things have not gone to plan but there is no reason to walk away."
Ireland needed to win yesterday's match against Argentina by at least eight points while scoring four or more tries to progress at the expense of their opponents.
But they never looked likely to complete their mission against the form side in pool D, eventually slumping to a straightforward 30-15 defeat.
"We needed to score four tries and gave it our best shot but we did not get enough field position to make it happen," O'Sullivan explained.
"I feel sorry for the players. They played their guts out but it was not to be and that is how it goes. It has been a tough World Cup for us."