Columns - Irish Examiner

Ronan O’Gara

The big winners from a year of highs and lows

2017 kicked off for our acclaimed rugby columnist last night with Racing against Toulon. But before we let 2016 pass...

Mon, 02 Jan, 2017

Out of Europe before Christmas but sadness is relative

It’s very difficult to have any in-depth discussion on rugby when the thought of what’s important in life always overrides it, writes Ronan O’Gara

Fri, 23 Dec, 2016

The times a Munster win does bad things to me

Desire. Intensity. Great players, great teams change the order, they go out and make things happen. They don’t wait for others to do it for them, writes Ronan O’Gara

Fri, 16 Dec, 2016

I've too much invested in Racing to consider moving

I HAD a good sense of what was coming down the tracks for Connacht. Pat Lam’s honest explanation for leaving the province was something he had already articulated to the squad in advance of the announcement. I was down in Bordeaux all week continuing my coaching badges and had plenty of time to be putting myself in Lam’s shoes, writes Ronan O’Gara

Fri, 09 Dec, 2016

Ireland v Australia - Autumn International - Aviva Stadium

Edinburgh come next February will be a real sticky affair

France won’t win next year’s Six Nations championship for the very reason Joe Schmidt’s Ireland just might: discipline, writes Ronan O’Gara.

Fri, 02 Dec, 2016

But — the word that must be banned in Irish dressing room

The French for goal is ‘but’. I’m not a fan of the English equivalent of the spelling.

Fri, 25 Nov, 2016

Is Joe Schmidt’s Ireland ready to shed tag of once-off world-beaters, asks Ronan O'Gara.

Once history has been made, can you be as hungry again?, asks Ronan O’Gara

Fri, 18 Nov, 2016

The biggest disaster for Irish rugby in the pro era? If Schmidt hadn’t signed that contract

The gaffer around here started asking me a question Wednesday, and I cut him off mid-sentence. This is the rest of the answer. Yes. It does, it wrecks my head I never got to work under, to work with, Joe Schmidt. That I didn’t get 10 years at the top of my game under him, writes Ronan O’Gara

Sat, 12 Nov, 2016

Why are the All-Blacks so bloody good? Ronan O'Gara takes a look

How does New Zealand remain at such an imperious level from season to season, asks Ronan O'Gara.

Fri, 04 Nov, 2016

Ronan O'Gara reflects on a challenging week and says 'thank you' to Ulster fans

I reckon our constitution is only built to take so much grief and sadness, writes Ronan O'Gara.

Fri, 28 Oct, 2016