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O'Driscoll confident of facing the USA, despite lack of game time

Brian O’Driscoll is relieved to have finally reached the Irish training base in New Zealand and says he is ready for the task that awaits.

BRIAN O’DRISCOLL INSISTS that he will be fit to face the USA in Ireland’s first World Cup game on September 11th, despite only playing one out of five warm-up matches.

The 32-year-old has been suffering from a shoulder complaint all summer but he insists that the more time he has, the better he will begin to feel.

“The shoulder feels OK. I was training away earlier, though granted we didn’t do too much contact,” the Irish captain said.

Declan Kidney’s men had only a light training session in Queenstown after a 43-hour journey that had taken in stops in Heathrow, Dubai, Sydney and Auckland.

Gordon D’Arcy joins the squad in Queenstown on Monday after his delayed departure from Dublin with a calf injury, and should be fine to face the States. As should groin injury victim Rob Kearney, although Cian Healy remains a major doubt with an eye socket injury.

O’Driscoll feels that, now that the squad has reached its destination and is training against a backdrop of snow-covered mountains, they finally feel the big tournament fever.

“We’re finally here after all the work we’ve done in the build-up,” he added. It’s great to be here. It’s certainly one of the more beautiful spots to be in.

“Hopefully we’ll get some good work done over the next week to put ourselves in good shape for the matches.”

For more read Sporting Life>

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    Mute ᴛᴏᴍ49
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    Apr 26th 2021, 10:49 AM

    Scholes
    Gerrard
    Lampard
    Bergkamp
    Ronaldo
    and
    Djimi Traore

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    Mute Alan Clarke
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    Apr 26th 2021, 9:40 AM

    got to be Giggs and Scholes next surely. 13 and 11 Premier league medals respectively. Keano as well, winning captain 4 times.

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    Mute Gary Donlan
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    Apr 26th 2021, 10:15 AM

    @Alan Clarke: Don’t think Giggs will be inducted any time soon..

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    Mute The Sports Derd
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    Apr 26th 2021, 10:13 AM

    Not a bad pair. Probably the 2 forwards in a 4-4-2 all-time Premier League XI.

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    Mute Aiden
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    Apr 26th 2021, 1:49 PM

    Keano has to be first one in there
    7 pl titles most as captain

    31
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    Mute ......
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    Apr 26th 2021, 3:24 PM

    @Aiden: JT actually has most as captain even tho he played only 9 games for his last medal.

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    Mute Brian Dunne
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    Apr 26th 2021, 3:56 PM

    @Aiden: keane “only” won 4 as captain. The other 3 he won he had bruce or cantona as captain. Terry won 5 as captain.

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    Mute Joe Kelly
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    Apr 26th 2021, 2:35 PM

    Henry The Cheat!!!

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    Mute Mike Keane
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    Apr 26th 2021, 5:58 PM

    @Joe Kelly: Let it go, Joe.

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    Mute Tony Flanagan
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    Apr 26th 2021, 1:02 PM

    Cantona 1st
    Keane 2nd or 3rd with Shearer

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    Mute Fiach Moriarty
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    Apr 26th 2021, 2:41 PM

    Emile Heskey next

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    Mute SPQH
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    Apr 26th 2021, 4:33 PM

    Is there anything to be said for having some goalies and backs in there or is it all about goal scorers?

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    Mute Tombmunster
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    Apr 26th 2021, 3:06 PM

    “Do me a favour”

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    Mute Tomas Ryan
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    Apr 26th 2021, 8:09 PM

    John o’shea sorely missed here

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    Mute Jake Kelly
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    Apr 26th 2021, 3:58 PM

    This Hall of Fame won’t be legitimate till Emile Heskey takes his rightful place in it

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    Mute Hear me now
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    Apr 26th 2021, 8:49 PM

    @Jake Kelly: ranked 23rd all time top scorers in premier League history…
    4 league Cups
    FA Cup.
    UEFA Cup
    UEFA Super Cup
    Charity Shield…
    Not a bad about I suppose…

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    Mute Shane Lad
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    Apr 27th 2021, 6:45 AM

    Crouch
    Niko
    Frank

    That is if Harry is picking

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