Tweet victory for Donncha O’Callaghan over rugby rival Brian O’Driscoll

Facing off in the colours of Munster and Leinster, they had their fair share of wins and losses, but Donncha O’Callaghan can claim a bonus point victory over his former Ireland captain, Brian O’Driscoll, in their latest head-to-head on Twitter.

The two players may have amassed more than 200 caps for Ireland between them — a large number of them while lining out together — but the online battle of the quips was a good-natured return to the rivalry they exhibited in the red of Munster and blue of Leinster.

The tweet-off was precipitated by a picture posted to Clongowes Wood College’s Twitter account.

The Kildare school has a storied rugby pedigree, boasting among its past pupils the likes of current Leinster players Gordon D’Arcy, Rob and Dave Kearney, and Fergus McFadden.

On first glance, the picture appears to show nine boys, in rows of three, intently reading Brian O’Driscoll’s recently published autobiography The Test.

However, closer inspection reveals that the boy in the centre of the picture is reading Donncha O’Callaghan’s autobiography, Joking Apart, which was published three years ago.

The tweet is accompanied by the message: “Elements book club started again this term, unfortunately one lad didn’t get the memo. @BrianODriscoll @docallaghan4.”

The former Leinster centre and Ireland captain was the first to line up a well-aimed tackle at the Munster lock.

“@clongowes @docallaghan4 ah he must have only had €3.99 of his pocket money left!” he tweeted.

O’Callaghan took his time to respond, perhaps plotting the best possible response.

Almost nine hours later the reply came.

“@clongowes @BrianODriscoll How did that honours student end up in foundation English class ?!?!”

Twitter posters were in no doubt as to who had scored the best one-liner. “Ouch!! 1-0 to the @Munsterrugby man,” wrote one observer. “Legendary response!!! #Touche,” wrote another.