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I was going to do this tomorrow but things change. I know a lot of people are tired of the whole retirement thing but **** it.
There's not a lot to say about O'Driscoll that hasn't been said already, so I'm just going to repeat a lot of it. There's no point giving a history lesson about the boy who didn't start for Blackrock's (boo) Junior Cup team and while he started for the Senior team and played for Ireland at underage level still wasn't the standout player but it seems I just did give that lesson.
Still he was talented enough that he was involved with Ireland in 1999 before even playing for Leinster at senior level, although that was kind of Gatland's mo of just picking kids. Anywho everyone knows when he first really caught the eye in an Ireland shirt, that little 6N match vs the French. Scoring a hattrick, poleaxing opposition players, that sort of thing. From there it kind of exploded as everyone knows. Lions tours, World Cups, 6 Nations, Heineken Cups and "Whatever" Leagues he did some pretty nice things in them all but success in the form of trophies was pretty late coming with "only" 5 trophies by the time he was 30. Although they were fairly "undesirable" ones with two Celtic Leagues and three Triple Crowns along with a host of near misses.
However while his teams weren't always the most successful. He was always the shining light (except maybe 2008, that was fairly forgettable overall) and while that may have waned in the last season or so he's still pulled some magic out of the bag. It's often been annoying for Irish fans how condescending (or at least that's how they appear) SH players and coaches were along with every now and then those of our NH brethern who should really know better. In an era of cliches in interviews the one that always trotteted out by the "big three" went along the line of "Brian O'Driscoll and Friends" like some sort of superhero cartoon. It went along the lines of saying something about the plucky Irish who could upset you on their day and was then followed by a "gee whiz that guy BO'D eh?". While that may have been somewhat insulting to the rest of the team it was possibly the highest compliment available to O'Driscoll, that these guys had to mention him every time really meant something.
There's a lot of arguments where BO'D will invariably show up. Is he the best player ever? The best in the pro era? The best centre? etc. Obviously every single one of these is down to the opinion of the individual so for me at least he is the single greatest player I have ever had the pleasure to witness. He wasn't the fastest, the strongest, the most agile, the most skillful, the best tackler or the best at the breakdown etc. but he was so far up the list on bascially every skill or attribute that a player outside the tight five needs (except kicking) that for me he was the best. His early change of pace was scary and his ability to spot a pass or offload was breathtaking. He had an incredible nose for the line at his peak, especially for a centre (yes playing all those games helped but when was the last time he scored an international try?) and he could score all types of tries. Famously dangerous close to the line you usually rather him than a forward, he had a penchant for intercepts and cut sublime lines. That's ingoring the ridiculous pick ups and volleys as well.
It wasn't all ridiculously good attacking either he was for a period the best defensive player in the toughest position to defend on the pitch. He was at one stage probably the biggest pound for pound hitter in the world and famously good at the breakdown especially at his zenith in 2009. His communication for anyone who was lucky enough to see him live was also incredible. He was always talking getting feedback making sure everyone knew what was going on. This despite having a near telepathic connection with his most common partner in D'arcy.
Through all this he took he took some incredible blows often showing his committment and stubborness in not getting back up and playing on after many legal and illegal hits. How the man is not a cripple already I do not know. His healing process has also led me to believe that he is in fact Woverine. Most meorable for me was the recovery for the 2012 H Cup final, 5 weeks ahead of schedule I believe not traingin until the Thursday and coming incredibly close to being MotM. This graphic shows some of the more memorable damage: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/ru...ls-catalogue-12-injuries-head-torn-ankle.html
Despite the concussions, O'Driscoll's defining attributes imo have come from his brain. He was able to get by at the top level for so long despite the body failing because he was always a second ahead of everyone else on the pitch. Spotting gaps before they opened and pluggin leaks before they sprung. Then there was his iron will and ambition tied with self belief. He would push himself through everything to acheive his goals. Ambition is often considered wrong and evil but boy is it important. Irish teams have always had the problem where they are so much happier as the underdogs. They won't set themselves big goals because of a lack of ambition and belief. BO'D was a huge catalyst in changin this in Irish rugby. He always wanted to win and it was his mental fortitude which most affected Irish rugby.
If you've read this much, fair play.
Thanks for all the memories, Brian.
Final Honour Roll:
Leinster[edit]
[video=youtube_share;9JLASzADsaI]http://youtu.be/9JLASzADsaI[/video]
Leinster's tribute video:
http://youtu.be/rSgHc7hlA7Y
There's not a lot to say about O'Driscoll that hasn't been said already, so I'm just going to repeat a lot of it. There's no point giving a history lesson about the boy who didn't start for Blackrock's (boo) Junior Cup team and while he started for the Senior team and played for Ireland at underage level still wasn't the standout player but it seems I just did give that lesson.
Still he was talented enough that he was involved with Ireland in 1999 before even playing for Leinster at senior level, although that was kind of Gatland's mo of just picking kids. Anywho everyone knows when he first really caught the eye in an Ireland shirt, that little 6N match vs the French. Scoring a hattrick, poleaxing opposition players, that sort of thing. From there it kind of exploded as everyone knows. Lions tours, World Cups, 6 Nations, Heineken Cups and "Whatever" Leagues he did some pretty nice things in them all but success in the form of trophies was pretty late coming with "only" 5 trophies by the time he was 30. Although they were fairly "undesirable" ones with two Celtic Leagues and three Triple Crowns along with a host of near misses.
However while his teams weren't always the most successful. He was always the shining light (except maybe 2008, that was fairly forgettable overall) and while that may have waned in the last season or so he's still pulled some magic out of the bag. It's often been annoying for Irish fans how condescending (or at least that's how they appear) SH players and coaches were along with every now and then those of our NH brethern who should really know better. In an era of cliches in interviews the one that always trotteted out by the "big three" went along the line of "Brian O'Driscoll and Friends" like some sort of superhero cartoon. It went along the lines of saying something about the plucky Irish who could upset you on their day and was then followed by a "gee whiz that guy BO'D eh?". While that may have been somewhat insulting to the rest of the team it was possibly the highest compliment available to O'Driscoll, that these guys had to mention him every time really meant something.
There's a lot of arguments where BO'D will invariably show up. Is he the best player ever? The best in the pro era? The best centre? etc. Obviously every single one of these is down to the opinion of the individual so for me at least he is the single greatest player I have ever had the pleasure to witness. He wasn't the fastest, the strongest, the most agile, the most skillful, the best tackler or the best at the breakdown etc. but he was so far up the list on bascially every skill or attribute that a player outside the tight five needs (except kicking) that for me he was the best. His early change of pace was scary and his ability to spot a pass or offload was breathtaking. He had an incredible nose for the line at his peak, especially for a centre (yes playing all those games helped but when was the last time he scored an international try?) and he could score all types of tries. Famously dangerous close to the line you usually rather him than a forward, he had a penchant for intercepts and cut sublime lines. That's ingoring the ridiculous pick ups and volleys as well.
It wasn't all ridiculously good attacking either he was for a period the best defensive player in the toughest position to defend on the pitch. He was at one stage probably the biggest pound for pound hitter in the world and famously good at the breakdown especially at his zenith in 2009. His communication for anyone who was lucky enough to see him live was also incredible. He was always talking getting feedback making sure everyone knew what was going on. This despite having a near telepathic connection with his most common partner in D'arcy.
Through all this he took he took some incredible blows often showing his committment and stubborness in not getting back up and playing on after many legal and illegal hits. How the man is not a cripple already I do not know. His healing process has also led me to believe that he is in fact Woverine. Most meorable for me was the recovery for the 2012 H Cup final, 5 weeks ahead of schedule I believe not traingin until the Thursday and coming incredibly close to being MotM. This graphic shows some of the more memorable damage: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/ru...ls-catalogue-12-injuries-head-torn-ankle.html
Despite the concussions, O'Driscoll's defining attributes imo have come from his brain. He was able to get by at the top level for so long despite the body failing because he was always a second ahead of everyone else on the pitch. Spotting gaps before they opened and pluggin leaks before they sprung. Then there was his iron will and ambition tied with self belief. He would push himself through everything to acheive his goals. Ambition is often considered wrong and evil but boy is it important. Irish teams have always had the problem where they are so much happier as the underdogs. They won't set themselves big goals because of a lack of ambition and belief. BO'D was a huge catalyst in changin this in Irish rugby. He always wanted to win and it was his mental fortitude which most affected Irish rugby.
If you've read this much, fair play.
Thanks for all the memories, Brian.
Final Honour Roll:
Leinster[edit]
- Celtic League (3): – 2001/2002, 2007/2008, 2012/2013 2013/14
- Heineken European Cup (3): – 2008/2009, 2010/2011, 2011/2012
- Amlin European Challenge Cup (1): – 2013
- IRB Under 19 Rugby World Championship (1): 1998
- Triple Crown (4): 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009
- Six Nations Championship (2): 2009 (Grand Slam), 2014
- British and Irish Lions Tourist (4): 2001, 2005 (captain), 2009, 2013 (series victory)
- 6 Nations All time top try scorer with 26 tournament tries.
- 6 Nations Player of the Year – 2006, 2007, 2009.
- 6 Nations Top try scorer – 2009 (tied with Riki Flutey).
- European Cup Top try scorer – 2009.
- Shortlisted for IRB International Player of the Year 3 times – 2001, 2002, 2009.
- Named on ERC European Dream Team (to mark the first 15 years of the Heineken Cup).
- IRB International Try of the Year 2008 ( Australia v Ireland).
- IRUPA Players' Player of the Year – 2008/09.
- Texaco Sportstars Rugby Award – 2000, 2002, 2007, 2009.
- 'Rugby World' magazines' Player of the Decade.
- Named on 'Rugby World' magazines' Team of the Decade.
- English Rugby Union Writers' Club Pat Marshall Memorial Award as the sport's outstanding personality for 2009.
- Dubliner of the Year Award – 2008.
[video=youtube_share;9JLASzADsaI]http://youtu.be/9JLASzADsaI[/video]
Leinster's tribute video:
http://youtu.be/rSgHc7hlA7Y
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