Compiled by GERRY THORNLEY
Dunkin' Donncha: O'Callaghan dives in
DOMINATING THE front page of the Southland Times yesterday was a full-length picture of a beaming Donncha O’Callaghan in just swimming trunks and holding a towel after emerging from Lake Wakatipu under the heading “Icy Plunge”.
The water temperature in the lake is generally around 10 degrees at this time of year but when O’Callaghan dived in from one of the jetties across from the team’s lakeshore hotel around lunchtime on Tuesday it was five degrees.
“It was ****ing freezing,” admitted O’Callaghan yesterday. “I’m still looking for my liathróidí!
“I’d just had a rub from Dave Revins and I’m a big fan of ice baths and recovery,” explained O’Callaghan.
“I know everybody thinks I’m a joker but to be honest, I’m gutted to have been on the front page of the local paper and I’ve been getting an awful slagging from the lads. On the way back from training I was kicked off the bus and had to walk back.”
Cashing in: good results lift ticket sales
FRONTING UP against the All Blacks is paramount for a variety of reasons, not least being Ireland’s elite standing, thereby ensuring attractive home fixtures in the November window (including return meetings with the All Blacks, who are the game’s biggest draw card).
Another spin-off could be evidenced in the way Irish Rugby Supporters Club members snapped up 2,500 tickets for the Guinness Series Tests against South Africa and Argentina in November within 48 hours of last Saturday’s 22-19 defeat.
Ireland host South Africa on Saturday, November 10th, and Argentina a fortnight later. Tickets start at €30 and includes Parent Child packages, a Two Match Package with a Category 1 ticket for both games for €105 – a saving of 12 per cent on individual tickets. An Ireland XV will also play Fiji at Thomond Park on Saturday, November 17th.
High hopes: Hanrahan one to watch
THE EXPLOITS of the Irish Under-20s in the IRB Junior World Championship in South Africa have been well received within the senior squad, not least the news that outhalf JJ Hanrahan was on the short-list of three for the IRB Junior World Player of the year after his outstanding performances.
As part of the Munster academy, Hanrahan trains regularly with the Munster senior squad and Ronan O’Gara, for one, likes what he has seen. “Yeah. Strong. Fast. Physical. The lads say he has a good kicking game too.”
That said, Hanrahan’s emergence as an outhalf after playing at inside centre in the Six Nations was only down to Ulster’s desire to have Paddy Jackson rested to be ready for their pre-season training. Which makes for an interesting take on where priorities lie. “He trains with us all the time at 12 but there’s a big opening for him there at Munster if he can get in there,” says O’Gara. “I haven’t seen too much of him as an outhalf but what I’ve seen of him as an athlete, he’s physical and way ahead of it.”
