O2 Rugby Blog
It’s been a very frustrating and disappointing time on two counts following last Sunday’s defeat to Wales. The first relates to the performance which wasn’t good enough based on the standards we set for ourselves. The second centres on the fact that although we weren’t at our best we probably still did enough to win the game and put ourselves in a position to get the result. We were unfortunate with the referee’s decision (the Stephen Ferris tackle) but won’t be offering that as an excuse. We were well placed to control our own destiny.
I’ve fielded so many questions about the shorter, six day turnaround, but we’re well used to that from the Heineken Cup. In a selfish way you might prefer seven or even eight days but it’s a minor matter. We’ve been well managed in terms of rest and recuperation. Training has been light and we’ve been afforded the opportunity to recharge physically.
There’s certainly a great appetite to get back out on the pitch. It’s been great having Keith (Earls) back in camp and everyone is delighted about his daughter Ella-Maye. I’m currently reading Upstart: Friends, Foes and Founding a University by Ed Walsh, which is a fascinating read. Well it is to me, although I’ll have to concede that you’d have to have local knowledge to fully appreciate the book!
People have spoken about our record in Paris but it doesn’t weight heavily on us as a team. If we play to our potential then we can win. That’s within our control. It’s as a simple as that.
This entry was posted in Uncategorized and tagged Stephen Ferris, Wales. Leave a comment
The Welsh match was pretty tough to take, not least losing to that last minute penalty. We had put ourselves in a position to win the game. In matches like that the boost you get from winning ugly can be hugely beneficial because you acknowledge the element of good fortune but know that there is so much to improve on. Unfortunately we didn’t secure the result.
The decision to cancel the Captain’s Run in Stade de France means that I won’t get a chance to practice place-kicking in the stadium ahead of the game. I played about 20 minutes of the last match between France and Ireland there two years ago but didn’t take a place kick in the time I was on the field. I don’t see it as a huge issue.
It’s an enclosed stadium, unlike some we played in during the World Cup where the layout meant that wind became a big factor. The French have found us an Astroturf surface on which to practice so I’ll be able to indulge in the usual practice routine.
It’s important that we don’t dwell on the Welsh match but rather take the lessons forward and make sure we learn from them. As a player it is so important to look forward. We can still win the championship. I’m off to watch the Leinster game and catch up with some of the lads before returning to the hotel and preparing for tomorrow’s journey. I also have to nip home prior to heading for the RDS because I forgot to bring my passport.
This entry was posted in Johnny's diary and tagged France, Stade de France, Wales. Leave a comment
It was tough viewing from an Irish perspective even though I found myself in one of the best seats in the house at the Aviva stadium on Sunday. As a guest in the Presidental box I had to temper my enthusiasm.
On the balance of the rugby played the better team on the day won but we had an opportunity to close out the match. In any sport there are days when you don’t play wonderfully well but still manage to secure a result. Obviously we were in a position to win the match but were unable to drive it home. The lads will know that better than anyone.
We let them come onto us too much and ended up paying the price. The team has endured setbacks in the past and come back strongly. Paris is not the ideal venue to turn things round, given Ireland’s record there but the focus will be on getting the performance right. That’s something you can control.
It’s been a quiet time for me, just dedicating myself to the rehabilitation process and things are progressing nicely. I’m not great at watching matches generally so the sooner I can get where I need to go the happier I’ll be.
I went to see The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo recently and unfortunately it didn’t quite live up to my expectation; the book for me was better.
This entry was posted in Brian's diary and tagged Paris, Rehabilitation, Tough viewing, Wales. Leave a comment
It’s been a case taking things relatively easy this week, conscientiously rehabbing my ankle, which curtailed a desire to take part in last Tuesday’s golf lesson and also any table tennis. The last time I was able to take part in a non rugby based activity was last week when the squad went clay pigeon shooting.
I don’t think the instructor was impressed following his lecture on safety to notice some one handed shooting from the hip! There is a great spirit in the squad, a legacy of the camaraderie we have enjoyed for some time and that was very apparent at the World Cup in New Zealand. The fact that the core of the squad has been together for a while under Deccie (Kidney) is a contributory factor.
I had a two-hour kicking session yesterday and then tucked into the kickers’ lunch; I managed not to have the chips, which took quite a bit of restraint on my part. My spare time these days is ostensibly devoted to summer exams.
I sat three exams before Christmas in the week between the two Heineken Cup matches against Bath. I got good results and now face three more this summer to hopefully finish my BComm. I usually cram but am trying to persuade myself that little and often in terms of study is a much better route map. That’s for another time though as my focus is exclusively on Sunday and trying to help engineer a victory that would give us the start we are looking for to the Six Nations Championship.
This entry was posted in Johnny's diary and tagged 6 Nations, Clay pigeon shooting, Exams, Golf, Heineken cup, Rehab, Spirit, Table tennis, Victory. Leave a comment
It’s been a hectic start to the week in my new role as captain and boast new found respect for the role that Brian (O’Driscoll) fulfilled in terms of media duties. The Six Nations launch in London was an endless loop of the same questions over and over again. I normally quite like doing interviews but the sheer volume and repetition made it a little bit of a chore. There was very little craic to be had on the day.
It was also true of the Ireland team announcement as those duties took about an hour and three quarters. I had a gym session in the early afternoon and almost had to run to be on time. I like to prepare for everything I do so that definitely didn’t suit.
It’s great to be back in camp, meeting up with the lads. We don’t have the luxury of easing into it and enjoying some of the bonding activities that we managed in New Zealand. Those set an excellent foundation and spirit for a good World Cup, albeit with a disappointing end to it.
There’s been no golf played down in Carton House unlike when we were here preparing to go to New Zealand. At that point you’d have thought some of the lads believed they were preparing for the Ryder Cup and not the Rugby World Cup. Some of them did manage though to get a lesson from the GUI national coach Neil Manchip. I missed out but I won’t next week because I definitely need one.
We know the importance of Sunday’s match but it’s in looking forward rather than back. We can’t change what happened but we can try and control what we want to achieve in the Six Nations. The great thing is the time for talking is almost done.
PS: Great win for Everton over Manchester City. Money isn’t everything obviously!
This entry was posted in Paul's diary and tagged 6 Nations, Everton, GUI National coach, Gym, Interviews, Ireland team, London, Looking forward, Manchester city, Media, Rugby World Cup, Ryder cup. 1
Things are progressing very nicely and I’m hoping to have some playing involvement with Leinster before the end of the season. There have been peaks and troughs mentally on the rehabilitation road but I’m energised by the prospect of being able to play again and over the next few weeks stepping up the levels in training to incorporate skills work.
I have to be sensible but the body is responding positively. In fact the enforced layoff has been hugely beneficial in offsetting the wear and tear of high level rugby over a sustained period of time. I feel very fresh and the only minor quibble on my part in my desire to get back playing is that a two month rest would have been preferential to the six month injury sabbatical.
I’m in at 8.00am in the morning and usually have three session including physiotherapy done by lunch-time and then the rest of the day is my own. I might be in line for some water boy duties again with Leinster in the near future.
The last time I suffered a longer term injury (post Lions 2005) I let my fitness run down to zero. I’m not willing to sacrifice a day in getting back this time so I’ve been working hard since the operation and remain dedicated to the recovery process. It’s an attitude that comes with maturity but also a realisation of how much playing means to me.
It feels strange not to be involved in the Six Nations Championships. I’m intrigued by how the boys are getting on in camp, about new game plans and the re-jigged coaching structure. I will be at the Wales game on Sunday because I was kindly given two tickets by Philip Browne for the Presidential box; I’m going to have to tone it down vocally, which will be a real challenge, because I get animated watching matches.
This entry was posted in Brian's diary and tagged coaching, Leinster, Positive, Rehabilitation, Six Nations Championships. 1
O2 and the Irish Rugby Football Union announced that they have renewed a successful partnership arrangement that will see O2 continue as sponsor of the Ireland rugby team. O2 has extended its support and commitment to Irish rugby to 2016, including the Rugby World Cup in 2015
@Hyperbird78ie :-) Get those votes in.
1 hour ago
@Hyperbird78ie Afraid not, we can't get the players to more than one place. Sorry
1 hour ago
@DarraghMaloney Good to have you hosting today.
1 hour ago
