Ronan O’Gara on one of the most powerful high-fives of all-time.
Ronan O’Gara is following in the footsteps of his Racing Metro colleague Johnny Sexton by bringing out a book, and in an extract in The Irish Times, he fondly remembers the titanic clash with Clermont Auvergne last season, his final game in the red jersey.
Munster nearly pulled off one of their greatest ever European victories after an up and down season, they were close to knocking out the tournament favourites on their home turf and the out-half says not only was he pumped for the clash, but so were his team-mates.
He recalls having a word with Conor Murray in the warm-up, and his words of encouragement as he faced up to the challenge of Morgan Parra had an immediate effect.
“This is a great opportunity now, against Parra and James, this is where we’re going to get an advantage,” he told the scrum half.
“You fu**ing destroyed Parra in the Aviva,” I reminded him. “More of the same now today. He doesn’t like playing against you.”
“I could see him literally growing in front of me.”
And it wasn’t just Murray who was rising to the challenge. Paul O’Connell came through a late fitness test to take his place on the team, and after all the fuss surrounding his incident with Dave Kearney, was keen to quieten the home crowd who had booed his name.
“I put out my hand, and as he (O’Connell) ran by he slapped it and shouted, “Let’s fucking kill these *****, Rog!” It was fucking special. He nearly knocked my fucking shoulder out of its socket with the force of his high five.”
“I loved it. He was fit to play all right. He was ready to go there and then, and there was still half an hour to kick-off!”
We’re looking forward to the book when it is released.
