GEORGE HOOK AND Eddie O’Sullivan had a score to settle in the late 90s when one man was making strides as a rugby pundit on RTÉ and the other was assistant coach to Ireland.
The duo were previously close, with O’Sullivan coaching under Hook at Connacht and overseeing the US Eagles’ matches at the World Cup in 1987.
Hook is on the record in stating the pair were responsible for grooming Jim Staples, Tom Clancy and Simon Geoghegan for Ireland careers.
Their paths diverged when O’Sullivan won a power struggle to get the head coach role of the US team and, despite a clear-the-air meeting several years later, turning back is no longer an option.
Hook told Club Rugby magazine, “I wrote at the time that Eddie’s appointment [as Ireland manager in 2001] was the best thing to happen to Irish rugby. I was Eddie’s greatest supporter.”
He added, “Then I started my campaign, which took 10 years for me to be proved right, that the Irish scrum wasn’t good enough, which led to some tension between us.
Eddie famously went on the record and said ‘George Hook is talking bullshit. Ireland has a fantastic scrum.
“He then went to RTÉ and basically wanted me off the station, which reopened old wounds between us and we drifted apart and didn’t talk.”
The full interview with George Hook is featured in Club Rugby magazine (available free next Monday in the Irish Independent)
Ever the self-promoter, Hook talks up his abilities to spot talented players and call out those that are not up to scratch.
He said, "I believe what makes me a good television pundit is because I have seen it and I have done it.
"When I said a 19-year-old fly-half who played for Cork Con. was probably the best since Ollie Campbell, it was Ronan O'Gara.
"When I said John Hayes couldn't scrummage, I told abuse for 10 years [only] to be proved right."
Pity it’s nearly over. It was brilliant.
These games were fantastic. Helped me forget about the doom and gloom for a bit over the last two weeks. Loved the swimming,the track events& cycling Bolt and Co were amazing. And of course our own team did a great job. Hopefully it will inspire kids out there and bring pride back to this country.
I really enjoyed the games! Thought after the amazing opening ceremony everything that followed would be a let down but by god I was wrong! Absolutely loved watching the sports, some of which I had never seen before! London did good, it has to be said! And well done and congrats to all who flew the flag for Ireland! Ye all did us proud!(“,)
Great two weeks of entertainment and a chance to forget the doom and gloom. Just shows what a bit of success can do for our national sense of well being. We really needed the lift. Hope it’s not spoilt by petty wrangling over money and unnecessary interference by politicians. Best moments were of course Katie Taylor and the boxers and other great performances by Annalise Murphy, Cian O Connor, Rob Heffernan and Gavin Noble. A sport I had never seen before was the dressage and I found it fascinating. Horses can dance! Amazing!
Sweden playing France in the Handball not the Volleyball !
Two sports we do not Care about either way! Volleyball is only good if played on a beach by cute women ;)
What about the boxing officials sent hope and Russia saying boxing is fixed ???
And let’s not forget the thousands of Irish fans that made it over to London for the games, who otherwise might not have been able to go if it was halfway across the world, it probably is the closest we will ever have to a HOME GAMES so that has been fantastic, London should be proud of the games they have put on.