GIVEN THAT THEY possess two of the best rugby brains Ireland has ever seen on the pitch, it always seemed highly probable that Ronan O’Gara and Paul O’Connell would move into coaching.
Such an effective combination on the pitch, the prospect of the pair of Irish rugby legends teaming up as coaches is a thrilling one.
O’Gara has now admitted that it is certainly their plan and with O’Connell having retired from playing due to a severe hamstring injury, the probable scenario of a ROG and POC dream team has moved a step closer.
O’Connell was linked with Munster’s director of rugby role in recent weeks, and it’s understood that a conversation did take place between the former second row and the province in relation to that position.
O’Connell, however, appreciates the need for him to learn an altogether new craft and declined to put his CV in the mix. The Limerick man has visited Conor O’Shea’s Harlequins and Bernard Jackman’s Grenoble in recent times for stints of hands-on experience.
Speaking in Paris, where he is an assistant coach with Racing 92, O’Gara stated his belief that O’Connell is right to be cautious about his first step into the coaching world and indicated that the pair plan to work together.
“They’d be crying out for Paulie [at Munster], but then if Paulie didn’t get the results, they’d be showing him the door,” said O’Gara. “We’re all aware of that.
“I talk to Paulie; Paulie will be an exceptionally good coach and it’s no secret of the two of ours that we want to team up. It’s about getting the right opportunity.”
O’Gara has little doubt that O’Connell will be signed by a club soon, and stressed again that the pair of them need to put more concrete plans for working together in place, even if that may not be at Racing.
“No, but depending on what role he is in there’s always something potentially,” said O’Gara of the possibility of O’Connell joining the Top 14 club.
“Any fella who has his head screwed on will be looking to snap him up. It’s a case of trying to get a plan together between us and start competing as a unit, because that’s what we both want to do.
“He’s still just re-adjusting and you’ve got to appreciate that too, because your head is all over the place when you come out of rugby.”
O’Gara recently extended his contract with Racing until 2019, but his playing history with Munster will mean he is always linked with a return home.
Indeed, it seems extremely likely that himself and O’Connell will team up and lead the southern province at some point in the future.
Did O’Gara have a chance to return to Munster before he penned this new contract with Racing last month?
“No, I wouldn’t have a clue,” answered O’Gara. “No, I would have my head firmly fixed on trying to achieve something here. I need to learn basically; this is only my third year as a coach. I’m nowhere near ready. I understand a lot of it, but I have no idea how to coach the attack game fluently yet.
“When you’re standing in front of Munster or Irish players, they spot a spoofer straight away. I’m still at the spoofing stage, I need to get it all on autopilot. I don’t have that at the minute, I just think it’s better for me too because you see things differently when you get out anyway.
“It’s a great league and it’s hugely challenging. There will definitely be time to come home, but it’s nowhere near. It wouldn’t be the right thing to do, to come home after three years. There’s no way you’d be developed.”
As O’Gara’s conversations with his friend O’Connell continue, one imagines that they will be stressing the need for the former second row to get onto the coaching ladder in an ideal position and begin to learn the craft, as O’Gara is at Racing.
Looking further into the future, you can bet that this pair of winners are planning to create history.
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*Standing Ovation*
That first pic is very Bill and Monica. Jus sayin…
Sharp
Fionnuala seems to have gas
Which one is Bill do you think
I read in one of the newspapers that she obtained two tickets from the Mayo Country board….I hope this isn’t true?
What would you expect Dave usual shenanigans in the gaa. She should have joined chairde maigh eo and attended as much as possible that would look good on a greasy lying crook sorry I mean look good on a local politicians cv wouldn’t it?
I couldn’t get a ticket either.. Guess the Gaa must be discriminating against me also !!
Thats a very tender looking photograph….. Wonder will be state sponsored phone calls to Kenya to explain that she and Enda are just ‘friends’?
“G’wan Michelle..have a rummage around my junk”…
That’s one dirty look from Yer wan on the left …..Enda’s missus by any chance ?
I think so
@ballbreaker: Yep, that is indeed IndaKinny’s long-suffering wifey.
So the politicians get in free while the ordinary fan has to pay????
Invite pat Spillane he can judge is it puke football or not
Jaysus . Don’t invite Joe Umbrella. The sarcasm if the shower of shites do arrive
Great move by shamrock rovers. She’ll be complaining about not getting international tickets next, if we look like Qualifing for the world cup. She’s a great sports fan of teams doing well.
Super initiative..
@Phil Quinlan: Bad scant to Rovers, they would not give even one free ticket to a former player for his 80th birthday a few/years ago, Bray Wanderers another team my father in law played for were delighted to mark the occasion for him as were his other old team in Holyhead but Rovers refused point blank to make any gesture, not even a card and now these parasites get freebies. I hope the karma is instant for them.
Well done Rovers, but don’t hold your breath . These people are out for their own publicity, not LOI
Ballina is traditionally Sligo Rovers so this will go down well on the east bound N59
Have to give it to Michael D he goes to some amount of games. Id say he would be a better pundit than most spoofers especially when games are played on Rte and any real fan just has to laugh.
She got tickets in the end.
She only goes to finals. In Rovers’ case she might have to wait a while.
Michelle Mulhern dumped out of the Dail by her own voters and returns to the seanad by appointment of the fuhrer. Big mouth and well disliked down her own country.
Absolutely fantastic idea rovers let us know how many turn up ok
INDEPENDENT TD Mick Wallace might apply if the Boys are not playing
O God she isnt going to kiss him, I feel sick….
Give them a water,i mean warm,welcome.
Rewarding the giant Ego of the West.
Ohhh Mrs Kenny is keeping her eye on her
Why don’t they let everyone in free? Again the ordinary Joe’s are pushed out!
I notice Kenny’s wife keeping an eye on things..
Clever publicity stunt by Rovers. As a paying season ticket holder I wouldn’t get too upset about the offer. Unlikely to see many TDs and Senators there anyway. At least Michael D will be there. Like Mick W. he goes to the less glamorous games.
Fans who are real supporters can’t get tickets every year. Yet politicians seem to think they have a God given right to tickets. If ya have seen the amount of fans looking for tickets .to be quoted seven hundred .