One of the greatest ever figures in Irish sport turns 36 today and, in no particular order, we’ve come up with 36 reasons to celebrate the occasion from his remarkable career to date.
1. THAT hat-trick against France, 1999
2. 133 caps for Ireland
The most capped Irish player of all time.
3. Try on his Lions test debut v Australia, 2001
4. 4 Lions Tours
1 tour as captain, 18 appearances, 9 tries, 45 points.
5. The ability to withstand this knee in the head from Paul O’Connell
6. Himself and Paulie having a laugh
7. Great tap tackle on Rocky Elsom, 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbxb3SP6Mlk
8. Pass to himself v Ulster, 2007
9. 245 points for Ireland
Sixth in the all-time list… behind five out-halves.
10. 46 tries for Ireland
Leading Irish try-scorer of all time, with 17 more than his nearest challenger, Denis Hickie (Tommy Bowe is creeping up fast on 28).
11. Unbelievable piece of skill and no-look pass in training on the Lions Tour, 2013
12. 33 tries in the Heineken Cup
Second in the all-time list behind Ireland’s bête noire Vincent Clerc.
13. Celebrating a Heineken Cup success with one of his biggest fans
14. 186 appearances for Leinster
Sixth in the all-time list behind Gordon D’Arcy (248), Leo Cullen (219), Shane Horgan (203), Shane Jennings (201) and Jamie Heaslip (196).
15. 61 tries for Leinster
Second in the all-time list behind Shane Horgan (69).
16. Comeback try v Cardiff Blues, Heineken Cup quarter-final 2012
17. Knowing that tomato is a fruit, wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad
18. Crucial try v Wales in the Grand Slam game, 2009
19. Drop-goal v Leicester, Heineken Cup Final, 2009
20. Shuddering tackle on Danie Roussouw, Lions Tour, 2009
21. Amazing pick-up and try v All-Blacks, 2010
22. Dressing up as Kiss for the Leinster Christmas party in 2013
Rock ‘n’ the other thing!!!!! pic.twitter.com/qOavgUGa2s
— Brian O’Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) December 21, 2013
#Rockin pic.twitter.com/rglj4kfNGM
— Brian O’Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) December 21, 2013
23. Through the legs pass v Munster, Heineken Cup semi-final, 2006
24. Through the legs pass v Samoa, 2013
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZueOoqiCMEs
25. Through the legs pass v Northampton, 2013
26. Sublime pass for Simon Zebo’s try v Wales, 2013
27. Double chip try v Wasps, Heineken Cup 2008
28. Brilliant tackle and steal on Tony Marsh, Rugby World Cup, 2007
29. Crunching tackle on Denis Hurley, 2009
30. Intercept try v Munster, Heineken Cup Final, 2009
31. Reaction to being dropped for the final test of the 2013 Lions Tour
“It wasn’t exactly as I would have liked it scripted but you don’t write your own scripts. Otherwise you’d be scoring hat-tricks every week.
“The main thing is we won the tour. One man’s disappointment counts for nothing when there is a squad full of guys who are very, very happy to have won themselves a Lions series.
“This squad will always be remembered in Lions folklore as one of the tours that matches 1997, and 1989, and 1974 – 13 is now a number that will be remembered.”
Class.
32. Consistently taking the piss out of Sean O’Brien
This guy is a beaut! pic.twitter.com/JYvTK28RMQ
— Brian O’Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) July 1, 2013
— Brian O’Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) July 1, 2013
#tullowtank pic.twitter.com/obZ2uoWlB8
— Brian O’Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) July 1, 2013
Think I found your perfect Halloween costume @SeanOBrien1987 pic.twitter.com/60ztX9t5Rw
— Brian O’Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) October 9, 2013
@SeanOBrien1987 maybe this one courtesy of @MissLJJ pic.twitter.com/nb9AR8vpET
— Brian O’Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) October 9, 2013
It’s a ‘stud’ mark, honest! @SeanOBrien1987 pic.twitter.com/sddWPBjZh4
— Brian O’Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) October 15, 2013
33. RTE’s tribute to arguably the best Irish sportsman of all time on the occasion of his 100th Irish cap
34. His reaction to shouts for him to give it another year
35. His classy tweet after his last ever game for Ireland in Paris
Phew! Worked out ok! Thanks for all the messages of support. Unreal feeling. Not easy taking this off for last time pic.twitter.com/Sq89BdLOnw
— Brian O’Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) March 15, 2014
