THAT'S THE WEIGHT TO DO

Sheehan says Lions have shown Irish how to seal deal in close games

- FROM ADAM HATHAWAY

DAN SHEEHAN watched the Lions get over the line in a close tie last weekend - and reckons that victory has shown Ireland how to seal the deal in big games.

The hooker had been replaced and was sitting on the bench as Saturday's second Test against Australia reached its climax with the tourists roaring home, 29-26 at the MCG, thanks to Hugo Keenan's late winner.

Ireland have lost out narrowly in massive matches in the past, notably the 28-24 World Cup quarterfinal defeat to the All Blacks and the 23-22 loss to England in the 2024 Six Nations.

Sheehan's Leinster, who supplied nine of the Lions 23 in Melbourne, lost three successive Champions Cup finals by a total of 13 points before last season's threepoint defeat to Northampton in the semis.