Ireland’s Grand Slam hero Ronan O’Gara says the overwhelming emotion of Saturday’s historic win over Wales will stay with him for as long as he lives.
O’Gara kicked a late drop goal to earn his side a 17-15 win in Cardiff and secure a first Irish clean sweep since 1948.
“At times, I think it is just a game but I will live with this for the rest of my life,” said O’Gara who is expected to be named in his third successive Lions party next month.
”I had twins recently. That has put a new perspective on life but this is a great day, it is a happy sporting day.”
O’Gara’s 2005 Lions team-mate Stephen Jones had the chance to crush Irish dreams but his 50-metre penalty fell just short of the crossbar with the final play of the match.
Knowing exactly what it is likely to deal with the pressure of a match-winning kick at goal, O’Gara was full of sympathy for one of his main contenders for the Lions No10 jersey this summer.
“In 80 minutes, it is unfair the way it comes down to the kickers,” added O’Gara.
“Stephen was unlucky but he had a fantastic game. I wanted to console him and offer my congratulations on a good game.”
O’Gara’s national coach Declan Kidney may have experienced Grand Slam success in his first Six Nations in charge of Ireland but the former Munster supremo was keen to pass on the credit to the game’s grass-roots supporters and to those who had gone before him.
“This is all due to the groundwork laid down for the last number of years by Eddie (O’Sullivan) and all the team there, the work done in the provinces, but more so in the schools and youth clubs,” said Kidney, who led Munster to Heineken Cup glory in the Millennium Stadium only last year.
“They are the people that enrich the game and get these players to stay and keep their love of it.”
