IT SEEMS THAT everyone is going to have their say on Brian O’Driscoll this week as the legendary outside centre prepares for his final home game for Ireland.
Instead of attempting to add to the deserved tributes, here we allow the man himself to express his own feelings on the occasion, the challenges to come, how he would like to be remembered in Irish rugby circles, and more.
O’Driscoll on preparing for his final home game as an Ireland international…
“It doesn’t feel any different. I suppose it’s hard when you just want to get on with it. I’m excited about it being a last home game, for sure, in that it’ll be one to remember. At the same time, more importantly, it’s an opportunity to put ourselves in a position to win the Six Nations.
“That’s really been the main focus. I really won’t think too much about the games and so on, until it’s done and dusted. There’s be plenty of time to reflect on it afterwards.”
O’Driscoll on fearing that last season’s draw at home to France was going to be his last home cap for Ireland…
“It was emotional last year against France, I did think that was going to be it. But a couple of different factors convinced me to play on for another season. I’m not really that emotional a person and so I won’t allow the build-up to it to affect me.
“Whatever emotions you do have after that will happen organically, you can’t force emotion on yourself. You just have to go with the flow. Sure, aspects will be difficult and I’ll be sad, but we’ll wait for Saturday afternoon.”
O’Driscoll on how others have interacted with him as the end nears…
“People are probably sick and tired of hearing and reading stuff, so no one needs to be adding to it really. But obviously I’ve seen a few nice things, a couple of articles and ex-teammates saying nice things.”
“I got a nice tweet from George Gregan on equaling his record and people have been lovely over the last while. I just want to be able to go out on a high, that’s the big thing.”
O’Driscoll on separating the team and the individual feeling…
“There is no individual feeling, there really isn’t. I’ve never been one for great sentiment while living in the moment. There’s always time for that afterwards and that’s the time to do it.
“The team has been the priority this week and always has been. So there’ll be no extra emphasis from anyone this weekend, other than an opportunity to give ourselves a final day showdown with France.”
O’Driscoll on how he has enjoyed his last Six Nations campaign…
“It’s been good, I’ll enjoy it a lot more if we’re walking around the Stade de France with the trophy. I’ve enjoyed it because there’s been good excitement, there’s a good buzz around camp.
“I’ve looked forward to coming in and learning new plays, being encouraged to try things. I think I’ve said before, we’re in a good environment here where we’re pushing one another and getting the best out of each other. Having the likes of Darren Cave and Robbie Henshaw playing so well puts pressure on me to make sure I deliver.”
O’Driscoll on the benefit of retiring on his own terms, rather than being dropped…
“I can only see it from my point of view. It will be difficult; leaving something you’ve done all your adult life will be hard. Being in that environment, one day you’re part of it, the next day you’re not.
“No matter who you are or what you’ve done, that’s always going to be a difficult situation. But it is fortunate that I have been able to call it on my terms. I can see it’s time to move on to pastures new and not many people get to do that. I’m thankful for that.”
O’Driscoll’s perception of his own standing in Irish rugby history after Paul O’Connell highlighted his contributions in transforming the game here…
“That’s over the top. I was very lucky to play at a time when there was great young talent coming through and you can see the guys who began at the same time. Someone like Gordon D’Arcy, who’s still here, the ROGs, the Strings, the Shane Horgans, Simon Easterby, [John] Hayes.
“All those guys came in within six months of my first cap and I think we all had a big say in guiding expectation levels first of all, and then performance levels after that, to where we felt it should be.
“Now the onus is on every young guy coming through, seeing that as the benchmark to carry on and make it better.”
O’Driscoll on the possibility of moving into the world of coaching…
“Coaching really isn’t on my to-do list at the moment, but I don’t know. I’ll let the next phase of life happen, maybe there will be a chance to come back to it. For the time being, I don’t see myself doing it in adult’s rugby. Maybe kid’s rugby.”
O’Driscoll on how he would like to be remembered…
“Just as a team player, someone that was about winning as a collective. That’s why I think we play a team sport, because we enjoy that camaraderie of winning and sharing the disappointment of defeat.
“You look at someone like Rory McIlroy the other night [he lost a playoff at the Honda Classic on Sunday], having to deal with that essentially on his own. I know he’s got a network around him, but that is on his shoulders. Whereas we all share the responsibility of losses.
“To share the victories has been really sweet, namely in 2009, with guys you have soldiered with for so many years. That brings an awful lot of satisfaction.”
I say this without jest, but it must be difficult to be humble when you’re only a short time from having your statue placed in Lansdowne Rd.
Yes you were a team player Brian. And you always made us feel like we were on that team too. A gent. Enjoy your retirement.
He Sounds a bit needy to me ..
I want / i want .
Wouldn’t it actually be cool if Ireland won the Championship in Paris at the very stadium where he made his name? It really is one of those stories, that the book of Brian opened in Paris, so shall it close in Paris.
What a player! :’)
Love this script
He might not be sentimental but I am.
I hope every man, woman and child gives him a send off to remember on Saturday.
He deserves it.
I think I’m going to avoid all rugby media between now and the end of the 6N. All these “Bye Bye Bod” stories are making me sad… :(
It’ll be a bit sad before and after the match on Saturday but there will be zero sentiment during the game, especially from the legend himself. I’m sure he’ll give everything to the cause as he has done throughout his brilliant career. Right up there with the greats in rugby worldwide. Good luck in the future BOD
Got my tickets for Saturday bitter,sweet seeing his last game there, he has given me best sporting memories of my life. Hope we win and send him to Paris with a chance of the championship. Thanks BOD
A true Irish Legend. And he’s not even from Cork!! ;) Thanks for the memories Brian.
The greatest irish sports star of all time.
He was not such a team player when he stopped in the georgia world cup game to roar at stringer for a bad pass.
Still a great player though.
nobody saying the man is perfect ted. that was out of frustration, the team went in talking of winning the world cup and played rubbish the whole competition
In his whole time with Ireland that’s the best you can do ted?
Sad ted sad.
Don’t worry you won’t have to watch him much longer, two more games for Ireland and a few for Leinster that’s all.
I’ll tell you one thing ted he’ll pick up another medal at least before then so if I was you I’d find a desert island somewhere and get stranded until June because this will torment you. L
I wonder which part of Ireland ted hails from?petty little man
I couldn’t possibly guess even!
As i said bod is a great player. One of the best irish players of all time.
However he was guilty one of the least teamplayer (?) acts I have seen from any Irish player in an Irish jersey.
I just found it ironic that he used that description.
It was seven years ago. And over the course of the fifteen years he has saved ireland many times.
Ted do you think he should’ve clapped stringer on the back told him don’t worry about it it’s only a game.but try not to do it again old chap?
Possibly he could have tried to chase down the georgian before he scored he try.
He could even have been a team player and accepted that everyone makes mistakes and that his experienced team mate would have been far more pissed off with the mistake.
Bod has always given his all for Ireland. And I would defend him on his talent, his dedication, his daft ability to put his body on the line and just about every other aspect of his career.
But for me, his teamwork will always be tainted for roaring at and blaming a teammate while an opponent ran in a try.
Ted let it go buddy it was a long time ago
No idea whether he was a team player or not, kind of difficult to tell as a spectator. He went through a string of piss poor performances during the tubby Glenda years, was never ever pulled up by his teammates for the many flicks & kicks to nowhere (Schmidt only touched on that recently) but first onto his teammates if opposite occurs. someone with his gravitas & authority within the game can damage any team ethic, especially when off-form in his own right. Still the greatest of this generation, but clearly acutely aware of it too…
Pretty much exactly what he should’ve done
Without a doubt our greatest sportsman ever. Thanks for all the memories and best of luck for the future! (He might read this).
In the 13th minute #onemoreyear again!
Time to move on.
You will be remembered as a genius, tough shit!!!!
Looking forward to him excelling in his last 2 matches, hope he runs in a hat trick in Paris :)
A sporting legend and a gent….great combination! Enjoy your retirement it’s well deserved.
National Treasure
Terrible movie
And YOU WILL be
And thats all he was, no one man is bigger than the team
A national hero and treasure, there are not enough plaudits for you sir