Compiled by JOHN O'SULLIVAN
Kidney speaker at Mangan function
DECLAN KIDNEY will be giving his first speech since Ireland completed their first Grand Slam in 61 years at a luncheon at the Maryborough House Hotel in Cork next Friday in aid of the Stuart Mangan Appeal. The lunch has been a sell-out for a number of months and Frankie Sheahan will be the MC for the day.
Stuart, from Fermoy, was left paralysed from the neck down while playing in a match for Hammersmith and Fulham RFC last year and requires medical care 24 hours a day. His financial needs will be considerable as a result of his injuries and care therefore a successful fund-raising campaign is critical. To see the many fund-raising activities taking place through which one can contribute to the Mangan appeal, visit www.stuartmangan.org.
For example, there is a Together We Stand CD with the Munster squad singing The Fields of Athenry, and in addition, Mick Galwey, Peter Clohessy, Noel “Buddha” Healy and Jon Kenny of D’Unbelievables singing Stand Up and Fight, is available on the website or in Centra, SuperValu and selected music stores.
O'Driscoll best captain for Greenwood
WILL GREENWOOD, who replaced Brian O’Driscoll during the first Test of the 2005 Lions tour to New Zealand, believes the Ireland Grand Slam captain is the right man to lead the composite four nations team on this summer’s tour to South Africa.
Greenwood, a Lion in 1997, 2001 and 2005, and working as a rugby analyst with Sky Sports teased: “I think his surname will begin with the letter O.
“Personally, I would take O’Driscoll, but there would be no arguments if he picked (Paul) O’Connell.
“O’Driscoll captained Ireland exceptionally well to the Grand Slam. He has scored tries in key games when the team wasn’t performing that well, and he even dropped a goal against England.
“While there is no room for sentimentality on a Lions tour, to go as captain to New Zealand in 2005 and be up-ended one and a half minutes into the first Test match and stretchered off, you sort of get the feeling that if a guy is owed one then maybe it is him.
“They won’t pick him for those reasons, it will be pure rugby reason and what gives them the best chance of winning.”
Lions head coach Ian McGeechan will confirm his captain along with the squad in London next week.
Forever Strong is forever rubbish
A MEMBER of the Planet rugby team (not me) was recently on a flight to Abu Dhabi (business class), when flicking through the multiple entertainment options, he came across a rugby film entitled: Forever Strong.
“I want you to be forever strong on the field so you can be forever strong off it,” ran the tag line.
Planet Rugby warning: avoid this hybrid rugby movie at all costs. The opening game sequence, with haka, leads one to believe they are watching another Once Were Warriors epic, until it rapidly descends into an American teen, father-son bonding flick.
A road to redemption theme unfolds, after a drink driving charge, and, of course, a love interest . . . but it was all too much for our Planet Rugby man, who was soon dozing off in his luxury lounge bed, only to be awoken by a glamorous Asian flight attendant with a four course meal. The movie had, thankfully, run its course.
There is an audience out there for a rugby film but this lot couldn’t even put the right numbers on the players’ backs.
O'Sullivan runs the rule over Eagles
EDDIE O’SULLIVAN will meet his charges in his capacity as the new US Eagles rugby coach next Wednesday week to run the rule over the American-based players before he announces a squad for upcoming Test matches against Ireland, Wales and the Churchill Cup campaign.
The former Ireland coach said: “It is a very busy summer for the Eagles and I want to announce the program of assemblies as soon as possible upon my arrival, so all of the potential team members will know the extent of the schedule. Once the players know the schedule, it is easier for them to plan around it.” His priority is to gauge the skills and fitness of the players before the squad meet for the second time, seven days before they play Ireland in O’Sullivan’s first Test match as coach on Sunday, May 31st at the Buck Shaw stadium.
They then move to Chicago to play Wales on June 6th and then immediately depart for Denver to prepare for their opening game of the Churchill Cup against the Argentina Jaguars.
Legends feted
DUBLIN UNIVERSITY rugby club, founded in 1854 and the oldest continuously existing rugby club in the world, are hosting a Hall of Fame Award for ex-Trinity Lions in the Dining Hall in Trinity on Saturday prior to their final AIB league game of the season at home to Lansdowne. Leinster and Ireland number eight Jamie Heaslip will be presenting the awards to Des Fitzgerald, Phil Orr, Hugo McNeill, Brendan Mullin, Robin Roe, Mike Roberts and John Robbie. Details at dufc@tcd.ie.
Name that Lions plane competition
BRITISH AIRWAYS are giving rugby fans the opportunity to name the plane that will fly the British and Irish Lions squad and management to South Africa for the tour next month.
Former Lions and England international Jeremy Guscott will be amongst the panel of judges that sift through the nominations to pick the winning name.
Entries will be judged on creativity, suitability and relevance – we don’t think “Pride of the North” is going to be good enough.
All those wishing to take part should send their proposed names to sponsorship@ba.com by April 25th.
The successful entry will receive a picture of this year’s tour team standing with the plane, as well as a British and Irish Lions shirt signed by the players.
