Ronan O Gara-I'll play till I'm 38

[taz]

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugb...a-3061894.html
Quotes below from O Gara in the indo ,skipped the rest as Hugh Farrelly wrote the other words.

"Calls for my retirement ... what a joke given my record over the last few years," O'Gara said.

"Why should I? Anyone who knows me knows I'll be the first to call retirement when my time is up. And I can assure you my time ain't up. I plan to play for my country until I'm 38 but definitely until I'm 37. Playing is what it is all about. I love playing for Munster, I love playing for Ireland."


"I have never felt better about my rugby," said O'Gara, who turned 35 earlier this month. "I've never worked harder and I am as committed as ever.
"I'm fitter now than I was five years ago and my work rate in training is higher than it ever was.

"It was torture not starting in the (Six Nations) games. You question everything. But then you have to put it to one side -- it's not as if I could have been playing any better at the time -- and you have to stay professional.

"I continually question myself. Trust me, I will know when it is time for me to retire from international rugby. I'll be honest with myself and there will come a day when I can no longer produce at this level ... that day isn't even close."

[MrsMcGahan]

As good as ever. Time will catch up but absolutely no sign so far.

[Colliniho]

Right, that's 2 more years for us to do what we haven't been to do for the last decade and find a potential replacement. Anyone in the Rockwell Senior Cup side this year we should be excited about? Any chance of JJ getting a game at 10 again?

[bbroomers]

I lve that man, what an absolute GOD- Legend status.

[he man rugger pints]

Good news for Munster, they really lose the ability to turn territory into points without him. Age isn't as big a factor with him as it might be with other tens either as his game is built around very good kicking and therefore a loss of pace that comes with age won't affect him.

[ormond lad]

Right, that's 2 more years for us to do what we haven't been to do for the last decade and find a potential replacement. Anyone in the Rockwell Senior Cup side this year we should be excited about? Any chance of JJ getting a game at 10 again?

At 19s level this year the person i can see making it as a 10 or 12 is Tom Kiersey from Waterpark, IMO he's much better prospect than the lads that played at 10 and 12 for Rockwell

[bbroomers]

Wait for all the Leinster haters to come out and say their usual horrific things about our ROG

[McCloud]

Wait for all the Leinster haters to come out and say their usual horrific things about our ROG

Why would 'Leinster haters' (if there's such an animal) have anything to say about ROG good or bad?

[deadlyBuzz]

That gives Keatley another bit to reazch Rogs standard.
Step up boy, the gauntlet has been thrown!

[munster nuts]

Hopefully ROG will retire from playing for Ireland soon and concentrate on the important stuff with Munster. At least he will have a good chance to get some silverware then

[munstermog]

Good news at last.

[taz]

Was out for lunch and interview is actually in the irish examiner.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/r...gh-188518.html

"The biggest disappointment in my rugby career is the lack of success we [Ireland] have had in terms of trophies won," he said.

"I have always felt this group of players should have achieved more and I’m still convinced there is more in us.

"We have to believe it and we have to achieve it. We have to compete to win, not just compete."

"I’ll be retired long enough. I know that I have more in me that I can squeeze out of myself," he said.

"Trust me. I will know when the time is right to go. And that’s not any time soon.

"I know that I’m still performing above the standard of international rugby. I’ll be retired long enough. Look, I’ve always been very honest with myself and even with the torment that I have experienced in the last few months I know that there is more to my international story.

"I’ll be honest with myself and there will come a day when I can no longer produce at this level... that day isn’t even close.

"Being frank, I’m fitter now than I was five years ago and my work rate in training is higher than it ever was. I even train outside the gruelling schedules we have within Munster and Ireland. There’s no credit due for training and preparing properly. It’s my job not my hobby.

"That’s what you have to do to compete at the highest level and I will be competing at the highest level for some time to come."

Despite playing some of the best rugby in his career O’Gara was devastated to be named on the bench for every Six Nations game and admitted hearing the squad being announced left him with a "gut-wrenching" feeling.

"Absolutely it was torture not starting in the games," he said.

"I especially thought I’d start the Wales game given I was the incumbent and was just after helping Munster to their best ever Pool campaign in the Heineken Cup.

"Also I had bust my ass over the previous 18 months to win the jersey back and then came into [Ireland] after a fantastic Munster run of games but I wasn’t in the team for the Wales game. That was gut-wrenching."

As a result he spent time analysing his game and looking for areas to improve but most importantly — getting the out-half’s jersey back in his possession.

"You question everything. But then you put it to one side. It’s not as if I could have been playing any better at the time. And you have to stay professional," he said in an interview with the Evening Echo.

"To mentally and physically prepare for a game you must feel you have a realistic chance of being picked, otherwise you are no good to a team.

"That’s part of being professional and being a team player. You have to put the disappointment to one side and do what you can for the team.

"I concentrated on making the most of the opportunities I got, be that the five minutes, 20 minutes or 25 minutes and I always felt that I was maybe five minutes away from getting the start.

"I was coming in with 20 minutes to go and doing well. In my mind the time had come when I would be given the chance to win matches."

Read more: http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/r...#ixzz1qJth1z9g

[lahinch_lass]

Good news for Munster, they really lose the ability to turn territory into points without him. Age isn't as big a factor with him as it might be with other tens either as his game is built around very good kicking and therefore a loss of pace that comes with age won't affect him.

I wouldn't be so sure of that .. he's already lost some of his range particularly in kicks from hand, and I remember Paul Burke's last season at munster was ruddy awful in terms of kicking range which was a drastic change from the previous season. Hopefully ROG won't have the same degredation in his capabilities and will continue to prove the naysayers wrong about his abilities. And yes fingers crossed that the younger lads at munster start showing their capabilities... remember ROG wasn't always the high% kicker he is now.

[Colliniho]

No chance ROG will retire from Ireland and concentrate on Munster. He'd lose his central contract then and would have to take a serious haircut on his pay cheque. I'm not saying for a second that he's just doing this for the money, but like he said "This is my job, not my hobby". Has JJ been playing 10 for UL Bohs?

[fitzy73]

Keatley must have loved this interview.

[Cathal]

Keatley must have loved this interview.

If Keatley isn't doing enough to displace the incumbent by the time ROG is 38...

[Red Hand Hero]

If Keatley isn't doing enough to displace the incumbent by the time ROG is 38...

I'd take issue with this to be honest. Without game-time, ideally at HEC level, how is he expected to improve. The primary function of a ten is game-management above all else, the ability to pick the right option and execute that with accuracy. Keatley getting a game here and there in the Rabo and maybe sprung from the bench will do nothing. O'Gara wouldn't have been the player he is now without learning from the mistakes he made as a starter for Munster and Ireland.

My reading of that interview is that it will be the Munster and/or Irish coaching staff that will call time of Rog's career rather than Rog.

[jeepers]

I'd take issue with this to be honest. Without game-time, ideally at HEC level, how is he expected to improve. The primary function of a ten is game-management above all else, the ability to pick the right option and execute that with accuracy. Keatley getting a game here and there in the Rabo and maybe sprung from the bench will do nothing. O'Gara wouldn't have been the player he is now without learning from the mistakes he made as a starter for Munster and Ireland.

My reading of that interview is that it will be the Munster and/or Irish coaching staff that will call time of Rog's career rather than Rog.

Don't tell me you are still hoping that Ian Humphreys will come good with more gametime

Keatly has had lots of gametime in the Rabbo for both Munster and Connacht to practice his game management. To be exact he has had 12 starts in the Rabbo for Munster which brings his total of games up to 62 Rabo starts and 18 Amlin Cup starts.

I don't know how you could get that the Munster/Ireland coaching staff will call time on ROG's career from that article

[The Outlaw]

Players careers can get longer these days if they avoid injuries. He's been fairly lucky in that regard.

Dont particularily like the guy but he's still doing his stuff for munster.

I'd be surprised if he can keep both fronts going though.

Certainly for Munster he could play till 38.

[flimwodd]

Players careers can get longer these days if they avoid injuries. He's been fairly lucky in that regard.

Dont particularily like the guy but he's still doing his stuff for munster.

I'd be surprised if he can keep both fronts going though.

Certainly for Munster he could play till 38.

For what reason would you have not to like ROG,are you posting as someone who acually met and spent time with the man.

[sewa]

Great news for Munster and Ireland

[NotreDameRFC]

outlaw is entitled to his opinion.... just are others on here who haven't met sexton or doc or heaslip or tol but are happy to give their biased opinion on their character...

[rathbaner]

It's the Maldini Project. This is the Munster pack for the 2018/19 Season. That's POM at the back on the right, Marcus, back for left.

Attachment 1974

(It's a 14 man game by 2018 by the way)

[Thomond78]

It's the Maldini Project. This is the Munster pack for the 2018/19 Season. That's POM at the back on the right, Marcus, back for left.

Attachment 1974

(It's a 14 man game by 2018 by the way)

The point you seem to have forgotten is - they were on the winning side.

[Gezza]

Dude go on till your 83! There is shag all else to lace your boots!

[isola ciarrai]

At 19s level this year the person i can see making it as a 10 or 12 is Tom Kiersey from Waterpark, IMO he's much better prospect than the lads that played at 10 and 12 for Rockwell

That Munchins 10, was it Airey, looked a useful bit of stuff with good tactical kicking and good running. A bit slow and perhaps too much like Cusack. Thought Jermyn at centre for Rockwell looked useful - stocky, hard running, good tackling and passing. Munchins 9, Nugent, looked promising, like another CM - big, strong, decent pass (mostly) able to kick, great last gasp tackle on the Rockwell wing who was in only for him - Stringeresque tap tackle.

[inglorious]

time for you to move on and get back to the rugby topic - All my points raised today are completely valid and frankly, I am starting to get a bit embarrased for you and your son. its been fun really

So you want DOC and MOD to be confined to the scrap heap but you want a blend of youth and experience in the team.If ROG wasn't centrally contracted Munster couldn't afford him.How are any of these points valid?Im sorry but I really couldn't make head nor arse of what you posted on the other thread.Maybe I hurt your pride but if you can't take the banter good luck to you.Are you related to Flanimal by any chance?

[munster nuts]

So you want DOC and MOD to be confined to the scrap heap but you want a blend of youth and experience in the team.If ROG wasn't centrally contracted Munster couldn't afford him.How are any of these points valid?Im sorry but I really couldn't make head nor arse of what you posted on the other thread.Maybe I hurt your pride but if you can't take the banter good luck to you.Are you related to Flanimal by any chance?

It is clear that DOC has not been up to it for years and how he got on the Irish team this year ahead of D Ryan I will never know. MOD is a solid player but never made it to the top. whether Munster could afford ROG or nor if he was not centrally contracted - who knows - Season tickets are not cheap you know

[taz]

It is clear that DOC has not been up to it for years and how he got on the Irish team this year ahead of D Ryan I will never know. MOD is a solid player but never made it to the top. whether Munster could afford ROG or nor if he was not centrally contracted - who knows - Season tickets are not cheap you know

The cost is irrelevant as O Gara has a contract until the end of 2013 anyway.

[munster nuts]

The cost is irrelevant as O Gara has a contract until the end of 2013 anyway.

Completely agree - the cost is irrelevent. some players are invaluable - POC, ROG, Douggie etc