Columns - Irish Examiner

Ronan O’Gara

An Irish rugby legend and record‑setting out‑half turned elite coach with La Rochelle. A prominent pundit known for frank, compelling, agenda-setting analysis.

Ronan O’Gara: I may not be much good, but at least I’m officially qualified now

The notion of studious, bespectacled gurus analysing statistics and data in the coach’s box is a seducing one, but down pitchside is where it’s at. Think GAA mentality

Fri, 08 Jan, 2021

Ronan O'Gara gets off the Ireland team bus 21/3/2009

Ronan O'Gara: The torment, the thrill and the private thoughts on a team bus

Ronan O’Gara faces a long bus trip today with La Rochelle. Over his career, those journeys have seen every emotion

Thu, 31 Dec, 2020

Ronan O'Gara: When Limerick kids look for heroes these days, where do they turn?

Come Sunday afternoon, I did what any full-blooded Irish man does on All-Ireland final day — I became a hurling expert

Fri, 18 Dec, 2020

Exeter Chiefs v Racing 92 - European Champions Cup Final - Ashton Gate

Ronan O'Gara: There's Europe's top four. And the rest.

Champions Exeter, Leinster, Racing 92 and Toulouse will take all the beating, and not even the blitz-type feel of the competition format should change that

Fri, 11 Dec, 2020

Brian O'Driscoll, Mick Kearney, Devin Toner and Cian Healy watch the last minutes of the game 24/11/2013

Ronan O’Gara: The day I didn't want Ireland to win - and why

Ireland are 22-17 in front, history is in their sights but I am utterly conflicted

Fri, 04 Dec, 2020

Ronan O'Gara: Conor Murray’s goose cooked? Far from it. It’s just the brutality of pro sport

Just because there’s a potential Test nine putting pressure on Murray doesn’t mean anything more than a good selection dilemma for Andy Farrell and Irish rugby

Thu, 19 Nov, 2020

Johnny Sexton and Billy Burns 12/11/2020

Ronan O'Gara: Stockdale’s mulligan, Scotland’s defence and those fast-twitch fibres…

For Andy Farrell and his opposite number Wayne Pivac, these are games to build a squad and put their stamp on it.

Fri, 13 Nov, 2020

Ronan O’Gara: Are we watching the next world champions in Paris?

France are nowhere near the finished article - but they have time

Fri, 30 Oct, 2020

Simon Zebo is tackled by Elliot Daly 26/9/2020

Ronan O'Gara: Easing the ‘Sexton Rule’ can be a positive for Irish rugby

Simon Zebo’s selection is no longer in the gift of Andy Farrell, the Irish coach. The IRFU has decided in an unwritten rule, that overseas Irish need not apply

Fri, 23 Oct, 2020

Exeter Chiefs v Bath - Gallagher Premiership - Semi Final - Sandy Park

Ronan O'Gara: Are Exeter Chiefs the best team in world rugby right now?

Racing 92 has made serious progress in changing the culture of the team and club but do they have the game detail to match Exeter's?

Thu, 15 Oct, 2020