The Red O'Driscoll
Mick O'Driscoll calls time on a career in which he has amassed over 200 appearances for Munster, enjoyed a 2 year stint in the south of France and received 23 Irish caps for his efforts.
There comes a time when all professional sportsmen or women, regardless of their discipline, must decide to end their chosen career. A difficult decision, but has O'Driscoll, who made his full Munster debut 14 years ago, called a premature end to his playing days?
The consummate professional, O'Driscoll is a hugely respected figure in Irish rugby. Take note of the comments from Paul O'Connell in the wake of O'Driscoll's announcement as an illustration of his value to the Munster set-up in particular. O'Connell was full of praise for his second row partner.
O'Driscoll is a forward built of old fashioned attributes, but adopted his game accordingly in recent years as the modern game changed. No doubt he would have secured more than 23 international caps had it not been for the quality of competition in the Irish second-row.
On returning from Perpignan in 2005, where he played a substantial number of games in the back-row, O'Driscoll had clearly worked hard on his skills in the loose. He came back a more complete player, capable of dominating opponents physically and offloading out of the tackle with soft hands befitting any back.
Munster player of the year in 2008/09, O'Driscoll captained the team against the All Blacks at Thomond Park during their autumn tour. And but for a late Joe Rokocoko try would have led the side to victory, just coming up short of writing another Munster team into folklore alongside the side who beat New Zealand in 1978.
In the twilight of his career O'Driscoll continues to produce performances, which lead us to question the timing of his announcement. He cites a growing frustration at missing the big matches with O'Connell, O'Callaghan and more recently Donnacha Ryan now preferred ahead of him. And whilst that's understandable on a personal level, you feel O'Driscoll still has great deal to contribute to the Munster squad. His vast experience and positive influence on the team has been invaluable, particularly in the absence of O'Connell and O'Gara for the majority of a regular league season.
But he leaves as Munster embrace a new generation led by O'Mahony and Ryan amongst others. O'Driscoll has played with heart, he has epitomised the passion of a Munster pack which dominated Europe at their peak and he will be missed, but if the young players stepping up take note of his example then Munster will be stronger for it.
