2004, HARDLY THE genesis of Brian O’Driscoll’s great career.
Personally, however, it was simply a massive landmark and a decade on feels like a lifetime since we were first fortunate enough to see BOD play in the flesh.
We can’t pretend to have charted his rise from Willow Park or even seen him battle adversity (and Gordon D’Arcy) in the Schools Cup. I was not present when the young O’Driscoll morphed into BOD or invited round for coffee with Amy and Sadie – we know him as well as you do… but, man, that first glimpse is unforgettable.
For the previous five years he had been impressive enough on television, but speed-walking underneath Lansdowne before nudging our way into a free spot on the south stand just in time to see a blonde streak scythe through sea of blue defenders was something else entirely.
It was an international like none before or since. Having played my own game that Saturday morning, my father and I hopped in the car with little more than an hour to spare knowing full well that we wouldn’t be soaking up the pre-match atmosphere around Dublin 4.
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Post-match delays in Kingscourt, traffic, parking; all three probably played their part in ensuring the Six Nations clash with Italy was already well under way as we hastily rattled through the turnstiles. And by then the old ground was already spewing out roars of approval after Malcolm O’Kelly claimed the opening score.
Italy were as stubborn and as abrasive as they have been at any point in the 10 intervening years and so Anthony Foley would work his way to a man-of-the-match award; but for these eyes behind rain-flecked glasses, there was only one real focus.
That try, with the imagination and confidence to take Peter Stringer’s pass against the grain onto the short side. The YouTube clip is a handy tool to see the perfection of the dummy to O’Kelly, but away to the right from the left corner where O’Driscoll eventually dotted down, all we could see was the brightest hair on the field ploughing into a dead end and coming out unscathed.
It was majestic, unforgettable. Seemingly so much so that the memory of Ronan O’Gara setting up Shane Horgan to put Ireland 19 – 0 up escapes, as did O’Driscoll’s yellow card for a high tackle on Paul Griffen 10 minutes later. The euphoria of the game’s defining try was well and truly killed off before Roland De Marigny claimed the last score of the game with a penalty.
INPHO
INPHO
This Saturday, we’ll be on Lansdowne Road again and centre partnership of that day may well be the same. Everything else, though, will have changed forever.
There will be no last-minute dash, a shiny modern stadium replaces the grand old ground, there’ll be no highlights and no standing behind the goal-posts.
Most importantly, rather than the consensus assuming that such out and out rugby genius would simply continue and be the cornerstone of Irish rugby, this will be the final time O’Driscoll wears an international shirt on home soil.
This time it will be a true landmark, the end of an era.
Tell us what you remember about the first time you were able to watch Brian O’Driscoll play – either on TV or in the flesh.
I remember the name being mentioned in school, but few knew just who he’d go on to become. It’s really sad to see the end of BOD’s career. But it’s been a privilege to watch.
The tomato comment, along with his tries against England and Wales back in 09 the highlights for me, they summed up his undivided loyalty and serious lack of respect he had for his body when it came to his country….. Hero
It may be the end of an era for BOD the player but just how what he has done for Irish rugby is immeasurable. I think Luke Marshall said in a interview that he found it hard to believe he was playing along side BOD in his first cap. What he has done to influence and encourage a whole generation of kids who have grown up watching him to play rugby for Ireland made him worth his contract alone. The worst the IRFU could do is find a development role in for him to properly use his public profile to attract more kids to the game from non rugby playing schools or to youth rugby.
Brian will probably be remembered in the years after his retirement for the blistering runs the off loads the speed and aggression he moved the ball forward with. But in the last 5 years I believe he has matured into the finest example of a rugby player the game has ever seen. His tireless work in defence his total disregard for his body. You can see the passion and pride he has every time he plays. And most of all his humility the guy is probably the best centre to play the game. But he still is thankful for every game he’s gets.
The try and drop goal he scored against Australia at 2003 World Cup. Turning point in Irish rugby he stood up and dared Ireland to believe they could take on the world champions in their own back yard and beat them, although the game ended in a draw. The golden era started here for me
Bod was a truly great player who would have been chosen by any side in the world 10 years ago – even the All Blacks, who traditionally have a low opinion of foreign players (lived in NZ for 12 yrs).
These past 2 to 3 years have been painful to watch: his pace has gone, neither Leinster nor Ireland could use him as a ball carrier, a key role for an outside centre, he has concentrated on tackling and short bursts with ball in hand coupled with some trick offloads.
At this stage I would choose Jonathan Davies ahead of him any day – bigger stronger, faster.
So farewell BoD – you were great and I’m not sure we will see the like if you again for a while!
Can you not just appreciate what Brian O’Driscoll has done for Irish rugby, and maybe, just maybe the reason we dont have a tried and tested replacement is because there’s still nobody available thats better than him?
That is the fact, he is still the number 1 centre in Ireland, that’s why he still gets picked. Why do people come on here to denigrate the man when this article is about celebrating him. Oh yeah, it’s because they’re arseholeas.
It may be the end of an era for BOD the player but just how what he has done for Irish rugby is immeasurable. I think Luke Marshall said in a interview that he had could believe he was playing along side BOD in his first cap. What he has done to influence and encourage a whole generation of kids who have grown up watching him to play rugby for Ireland made him worth his contract alone. The worst the IRFU could do is find a development role in for him to properly use his public profile to attract more kids to the game from non rugby playing schools or to youth rugby.
His try against Munster for a “rest of Ireland” selection in ’01 for which he received a 5 minute standing ovation. Ran from his own 22 to our try line burning 10 players in the process. Best try I have seen there to this day.
Against England 2009 in Croke Park ROG had a very bad day and England targeted him all game and he got up very time and had the balls to score not one of the pretties but certainly one of the most important tries in Ireland rugby history it was a pleasure sitting in the canal end that day.
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I remember the name being mentioned in school, but few knew just who he’d go on to become. It’s really sad to see the end of BOD’s career. But it’s been a privilege to watch.
Terrible hair
The try against France in 09 off the line out and then a sidestep at full pace
The three tries in Paris, one of those few standout T.V/Sporting moments for me
The tomato comment, along with his tries against England and Wales back in 09 the highlights for me, they summed up his undivided loyalty and serious lack of respect he had for his body when it came to his country….. Hero
Sob!
I hate you Sean, today was going to be a happy day
:(
It may be the end of an era for BOD the player but just how what he has done for Irish rugby is immeasurable. I think Luke Marshall said in a interview that he found it hard to believe he was playing along side BOD in his first cap. What he has done to influence and encourage a whole generation of kids who have grown up watching him to play rugby for Ireland made him worth his contract alone. The worst the IRFU could do is find a development role in for him to properly use his public profile to attract more kids to the game from non rugby playing schools or to youth rugby.
Landsdown road 2005 vs france, France won but bod got an amazing try out of nothing that day! One of his best.
Brian will probably be remembered in the years after his retirement for the blistering runs the off loads the speed and aggression he moved the ball forward with. But in the last 5 years I believe he has matured into the finest example of a rugby player the game has ever seen. His tireless work in defence his total disregard for his body. You can see the passion and pride he has every time he plays. And most of all his humility the guy is probably the best centre to play the game. But he still is thankful for every game he’s gets.
Hopefully he will take up a coaching role and be as good a coach as he was a player.
The try and drop goal he scored against Australia at 2003 World Cup. Turning point in Irish rugby he stood up and dared Ireland to believe they could take on the world champions in their own back yard and beat them, although the game ended in a draw. The golden era started here for me
Bod was a truly great player who would have been chosen by any side in the world 10 years ago – even the All Blacks, who traditionally have a low opinion of foreign players (lived in NZ for 12 yrs).
These past 2 to 3 years have been painful to watch: his pace has gone, neither Leinster nor Ireland could use him as a ball carrier, a key role for an outside centre, he has concentrated on tackling and short bursts with ball in hand coupled with some trick offloads.
At this stage I would choose Jonathan Davies ahead of him any day – bigger stronger, faster.
So farewell BoD – you were great and I’m not sure we will see the like if you again for a while!
The team hasn’t been announced yet?! This is why we have no tried and tested 13 ready to come in for the world cup.
It must be a truly miserable existence being Mike O Neill.
You must have a life full of brownnosing to put one man on a pedestal over the good of the team.
Can you not just appreciate what Brian O’Driscoll has done for Irish rugby, and maybe, just maybe the reason we dont have a tried and tested replacement is because there’s still nobody available thats better than him?
That is the fact, he is still the number 1 centre in Ireland, that’s why he still gets picked. Why do people come on here to denigrate the man when this article is about celebrating him. Oh yeah, it’s because they’re arseholeas.
It may be the end of an era for BOD the player but just how what he has done for Irish rugby is immeasurable. I think Luke Marshall said in a interview that he had could believe he was playing along side BOD in his first cap. What he has done to influence and encourage a whole generation of kids who have grown up watching him to play rugby for Ireland made him worth his contract alone. The worst the IRFU could do is find a development role in for him to properly use his public profile to attract more kids to the game from non rugby playing schools or to youth rugby.
This article is crying out for an eoin roche b1tch fest
His try against Munster for a “rest of Ireland” selection in ’01 for which he received a 5 minute standing ovation. Ran from his own 22 to our try line burning 10 players in the process. Best try I have seen there to this day.
His tackle vs Scotland in 2009 …. Says it all about the man. Does the dirty work every game. Class.
Against England 2009 in Croke Park ROG had a very bad day and England targeted him all game and he got up very time and had the balls to score not one of the pretties but certainly one of the most important tries in Ireland rugby history it was a pleasure sitting in the canal end that day.