THE PREFECT FINALE for a player who has arguably given Irish rugby more than any other individual.
Brian O’Driscoll ended his international career with yet another superb performance, world-class until the end. His six carries, his one line-break, six tackles on the explosive French midfield; those were the tangible factors the centre brought for Ireland last night.
Beyond that, the mental edge O’Driscoll gave this Irish team was vital, the assurance his teammates have felt when playing alongside a legend of the game. He signs off in deservedly memorable fashion, content to end with a trophy.
“I played on for one more year hoping to get a victory against the All Blacks – that didn’t happen – and to win a Six Nations, and that did happen. You can’t have it all but you take the bits that you get.
“It’s been a fantastic Six Nations for us, I’ve enjoyed every second. I don’t really want to take this jersey off yet, because I know when I do it’s the last time. I’m dragging the arse out of it a little bit!”
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The emotions of the occasion touched all those who watched O’Driscoll on his final outing before retiring from Ireland duty, but the man himself was intent not to allow those feelings to dominate his clarity of thought on the day.
I think I tried to channel the emotions into the performance. I played fair today, and you can’t allow the occasion to get the better of you. You have to try to make sure you’re the cog in the wheel for the team.
“Emotions come afterwards and they did, I’m sure there will be a few tears later on, with multiple beers on board probably. It’s a lovely way to finish out, I’ve had so much fun over the last 15 years, and I feel very grateful to finish in this fantastic way.
“I got a frog in my throat on the final whistle all right. You’re not yourself sometimes when you’re being interviewed. It feels as though you’re trying to present a certain way.
“After scenarios like today it comes out a bit more, particularly when it’s the end, you have to be as natural as you can. Over the course of the next while, when it sinks in, I’m sure it [the emotion] will flood out.
“When I pull the jersey off it will be hard, but it will come with a great sense of happiness to finish off with a great high after a lot of ‘nearly’ moments.”
His last Ireland cap was almost marked by another try to add to his record haul of 46, after Andrew Trimble released him down the right wing on the counter-attack in the second half.
However, the superb covering defence of France fullback Brice Dulin ruined the possibility, though O’Driscoll was happy just to see his side score a phase later.
I thought I might get in. In fairness, Dulin defended it brilliantly, he stayed off, stayed off; I knew I didn’t have the gas to burn him. We’d severed their line and we just needed to play a phase or two and we would score.
“Jonny [Sexton] picked a great line; it was important for us to have a potency about us in their 22. We managed that more today than in certain games throughout the Six Nations.”
The Stade de France was the scene of O’Driscoll’s true announcement of his international ability, with that stunning hat-trick in 2000. To finish his Ireland career with another classy performance in Paris gave an enjoyable symmetry to the day.
“I have lots of good memories in between, but to have had 2000 and our first victory there in 28 years, having not won since then, to finish up here 14 years later is incredibly special.
“Not many people get to finish their career on their own terms, certainly not with high emotions like today. I feel very fortunate and thankful to be part of a great, great team that has massive potential to go on and do more special things.”
@jimmy fitz: lucky yer hole. Armagh finished the game brilliantly and with 14 men. Galway should have seen it out but they couldn’t. Their keeper was awful.
Galway won that game hands down, the referee caused all that mess by being tough on Galway and soft on Armagh, Galway were fouled on and off the ball the entire game. The equalising point was scored after the ridiculous 8 mins of added time, of course tempers were flared.
A great of the game, but talking absolute twaddle here. Lads talking rubbish like this is why we end up with fixture congestion.
If penos are not acceptable then come up with something else that is within the ‘fundementals’ of the game. Free kick competition etc.
Penos are more fun though
It’s not a joke, they had 90 minutes to beat Galway and didnt manage it. They then lost a test of skill. If they had to play a replay next week everyone would say it’s unfair they had to play x games in row every weekend before a semi final. You cant win
Not a big fan of his but he’s right that its not an appropriate skill to decide a game.
I like the idea of golden point – but I would give possession to one team with a shot clock of say 1 minute and if they score the other team get to have a go – if they dont score or lose possession its all over…..if they do you repeat. Something similar works well in NFL overtime.
@Roy Race: I do like this. You could do a drop off like they do in touch rugby overtime. Every minute both teams lose a player, meaning you’ve loads of space opening up
@Roy Race: all you’ll get there is lads been dragged to the ground far enough out so can score from a free. If they wanted to and use the fundamental of the game(don’t know how kicking a ball at a goal isn’t a fundamental) then like then do a shooting on the run competition. Start on the 21, one on the left, middle and right. The player has to run up pick up the ball and shoot. If they stop, fail on the pick up or miss then no score. 21, 30, 45
Good to see the anti north of Ireland brigade are out in full swing this morning. Regardless of the full time incident, started by Galway’s Comer…., eye gouging is totally unacceptable I fully agree. He’s talking about a fundamental fault at this stage… look at the bigger argument here. Do you want the all Ireland final decided like soccer? Now all you Liverpool, United, Celtic etc ‘fans’ might like that. He was looking at the bigger picture. If it was Dublin or Kerry you’d have a different tune
@Finnster: I’m an Antrim man, unfortunately. I’ve no issue with Galway, I wanted them to win but the narrative seems to be that Armagh were a disgrace regarding the row at full time. Galway were certainly getting stuck in and seem to be getting away with their part in it.
@Ciarán Rice: there was a lot of off the ball stuff and Armagh were doing 90 percent of it . The Mayo man doing the sideline ignored it constantly ( no surprise there ) Comer was targeted by two Armagh lads leaving the pitch and didn’t back down , why should he ?
They are not out because of 5 penalties though. They had 90 minutes to win the game and failed as did Galway so they moved to the nuclear option. Both teams were aware of the game possibly going to penalties long before the first whistle.
@Ottomaaan: exactly. Sean had no qualms about pulling a player down rugby style vs Monaghan when that lad was through on goal. Listening to him pontificating about what’s acceptable is hypocritical BS.
Here we go. Another pundit dislikes the actual rules so it’s a disgrace. Sometimes I really do believe the GAA has been afflicted with more than its fair share of whingebags.
Give a player the ball on the half way and let them go for goal points don’t count, 5 players off each team. They don’t do much training for penalties I presume but surely they are capable of going for goal that way.
@Pat Mangan: I know that I’m pretty sure Armagh did aswell but with alot of people giving out about penos what I suggested is probably the better option
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What was unacceptable was the carry on at full time.
@Paul Murphy: those two things can both be true. It’s a joke Armagh are out.
@Ciarán Rice: the rules are that pens are used in this situation. Dont know whats disgraceful about that.
@Ciarán Rice: they were lucky it even went to penalties
@jimmy fitz: lucky yer hole. Armagh finished the game brilliantly and with 14 men. Galway should have seen it out but they couldn’t. Their keeper was awful.
@Ciarán Rice: Galway saw out the penalties though, so it would be a bigger disgrace if they went out, seeing as they won and all.
@Paul Murphy: Armagh gone,no more brawls this year so.
If he wants to talk about what was unacceptable in that game then penalties should be the least of his worries.
Galway won that game hands down, the referee caused all that mess by being tough on Galway and soft on Armagh, Galway were fouled on and off the ball the entire game. The equalising point was scored after the ridiculous 8 mins of added time, of course tempers were flared.
@Shaunagh McCafferty-Donnellan: the Galway keeper caused all the mess. Three absolute howlers
Sean Cavanagh was a good player but his punditry skills are questionable
A great of the game, but talking absolute twaddle here. Lads talking rubbish like this is why we end up with fixture congestion.
If penos are not acceptable then come up with something else that is within the ‘fundementals’ of the game. Free kick competition etc.
Penos are more fun though
@Johnny 5: golden point surely the option here
Clown
@Martin Clancy: couldn’t agree more.
It’s not a joke, they had 90 minutes to beat Galway and didnt manage it. They then lost a test of skill. If they had to play a replay next week everyone would say it’s unfair they had to play x games in row every weekend before a semi final. You cant win
Not a big fan of his but he’s right that its not an appropriate skill to decide a game.
I like the idea of golden point – but I would give possession to one team with a shot clock of say 1 minute and if they score the other team get to have a go – if they dont score or lose possession its all over…..if they do you repeat. Something similar works well in NFL overtime.
@Roy Race: I do like this. You could do a drop off like they do in touch rugby overtime. Every minute both teams lose a player, meaning you’ve loads of space opening up
@Roy Race: all you’ll get there is lads been dragged to the ground far enough out so can score from a free. If they wanted to and use the fundamental of the game(don’t know how kicking a ball at a goal isn’t a fundamental) then like then do a shooting on the run competition. Start on the 21, one on the left, middle and right. The player has to run up pick up the ball and shoot. If they stop, fail on the pick up or miss then no score. 21, 30, 45
@Roy Race: excellent idea
@Roy Race: if a match in regular time could be decided by a penalty then why can’t that be the way it’s decided overall.
@Roy Race: can youninagine the packed defences and the dragging and pulling?
No loss
Good to see the anti north of Ireland brigade are out in full swing this morning. Regardless of the full time incident, started by Galway’s Comer…., eye gouging is totally unacceptable I fully agree. He’s talking about a fundamental fault at this stage… look at the bigger argument here. Do you want the all Ireland final decided like soccer? Now all you Liverpool, United, Celtic etc ‘fans’ might like that. He was looking at the bigger picture. If it was Dublin or Kerry you’d have a different tune
@Austin Shields: rubbish
@John O Reilly: he’s right, I’m sorry for being a *–* but I for one would be chuckling all day if either Dublin or Kerry went out in penalties
@Austin Shields: smacks a bit of anti Ulster whinging. Don’t hear much condemnation regarding Galway’s part in the handbags.
@Ciarán Rice: you have a horn for Galway , you’ve been commenting on this all morning. Where are you from Ciaran?
@Finnster: I’m an Antrim man, unfortunately. I’ve no issue with Galway, I wanted them to win but the narrative seems to be that Armagh were a disgrace regarding the row at full time. Galway were certainly getting stuck in and seem to be getting away with their part in it.
@Ciarán Rice: there was a lot of off the ball stuff and Armagh were doing 90 percent of it . The Mayo man doing the sideline ignored it constantly ( no surprise there ) Comer was targeted by two Armagh lads leaving the pitch and didn’t back down , why should he ?
Where did the eight minutes come from…
…eyes wide open for Heavens sake, ye knew what the format was , stop whingeing
They are not out because of 5 penalties though. They had 90 minutes to win the game and failed as did Galway so they moved to the nuclear option. Both teams were aware of the game possibly going to penalties long before the first whistle.
Sean Cavanagh highlights the penalties as been the disgrace and unacceptable outcome from that game??? You have to wonder sometimes…..
@Ottomaaan: exactly. Sean had no qualms about pulling a player down rugby style vs Monaghan when that lad was through on goal. Listening to him pontificating about what’s acceptable is hypocritical BS.
But it would be fine to be knocked out based on one free kick?
If it wasn’t an Ulster side but a Connacht one losing out, there would be hardly a peep out of him…
Here we go. Another pundit dislikes the actual rules so it’s a disgrace. Sometimes I really do believe the GAA has been afflicted with more than its fair share of whingebags.
Cavanagh didn’t seem to think the brawl was a disgrace?
I agree. Penalties are a joke. Extra time and if still level, a replay.
Give a player the ball on the half way and let them go for goal points don’t count, 5 players off each team. They don’t do much training for penalties I presume but surely they are capable of going for goal that way.
@Robbie Delaney: Galway confirmed that they DID practice and train for penalties.
@Pat Mangan: I know that I’m pretty sure Armagh did aswell but with alot of people giving out about penos what I suggested is probably the better option
The off the ball dirt is over until the league starts and the cider county re-emerges.