Following a magnificent piece of skill which created his try against New Zealand, JOE decided to pay tribute to Brian O’Driscoll with clips of some of his best moments over the years.
Although Ireland somewhat inevitably fell to the All-Blacks at the weekend, Irish fans could take heart from both the performance of Declan Kidney’s side and an outstanding piece of skill by Irish captain Brian O’Driscoll, who, without breaking stride, executed a one-handed pick up with his left hand and crashed over the line for Ireland’s second try of the night.
It was something we have come to expect from the best player of his generation and arguably the best Irish player of all time. Eleven years after making his debut against Australia in 1999, Ireland’s most capped player and highest ever tryscorer continues to exude class on the pitch and looks as if he has a few years in him yet.
Here are some of his highlights from down through the years.
Third try v France 2000
Just as he did against New Zealand on Saturday, O’Driscoll pulled off a brilliant pick up on the run and touched down under the posts to complete a quite brilliant hat-trick of tries which earned Ireland their first win in Paris in 28 years and announced him as a special talent.
Try for Lions v Australia Brisbane, 2001
O’Driscoll had already announced himself on the European stage with his hat trick against France in Paris in 2000, but his performance on the Lions tour of Australia a year later made the southern hemisphere stand up and notice, particularly after his wonderful try in the first test against the Wallabies in Brisbane.
Pass to himself – Leinster v Ulster
O’Driscoll illuminated an interprovincial encounter with Ulster with a quite magnificent piece of skill and improvisation, deceiving the Ulster defence by pretending to pass it to Denis Hickie, but instead popping it up in the air and catching it himself. After running 50 yards, he was eventually taken out of it just short of the corner, but everyone present knew they had witnessed something special and you can even see the great man allowing himself a wry smile afterwards.
Big hit on Paul O’Connell - Leinster v Munster
O’Driscoll has been lauded for his pace, skill and tryscoring ability over the years, but he is also renowned as one of the best defensive centres around thanks to his bravery, his work at the breakdown and his ability to deliver some frighteningly big hits, such as this one on Ireland team mate Paul O’Connell during a Magners League encounter between Leinster and Munster.
RTE tribute
Ahead of O’Driscoll’s 100th cap against Wales earlier this year, RTE marked the occasion with a special video featuring tributes from Denis Hickie, Matt Williams, Warren Gatland and Tony Ward as well as studio contributions from pundits George Hook, Brent Pope and Conor O’Shea.
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