Mighty Mal content at 70 not out

MIKE GIBSON played his last match for Ireland in 1979, five years after Malcolm O’Kelly was born. Therefore, it’s hardly a surprise that the 6 ft 7 inch giant from Templeogue, who breaks Gibson’s Irish cap record at Murrayfield today, knows his predecessor in the record books only by reputation.

However, he is fully aware of Gibson’s status in the game and that he has achieved nothing comparable on the rugby field. “They’re two different eras. I get ten caps a year, he had to fight for his three or four. He did it over 15 years, I did it over eight.”

Nevertheless, nothing can detract from O’Kelly’s achievement. Professional rugby is a tough business and to perform at the highest level for the best part of a decade is a considerable achievement. He has been criticised over the years for laziness, lack of commitment, a laissez-faire approach. He’s been dropped and cautioned but he’s still there, so he must be doing something right.

His Irish second-row partner Paul O’Connell stresses: “To win 70 caps and to be doing it since 1997 as a second-row forward is an amazing achievement. He’s been dropped a few times but always came back. We get the stats after every game and discover that his tackle count is always up near the highest, likewise his cleaning out of rucks. He’s a fabulous line-out player and team man and sets a very high standard.”

In fact, O’Kelly’s athleticism is probably his greatest virtue. For a man of his physique (6-7, 18st), the speed with which he covers the ground is astonishing and his quick reactions were never as invaluable to the Irish cause than at Twickenham last season, when he bundled Mark Regan into the corner flag when it seemed certain that the English hooker was through for a match-winning try.

“It feels great to be going out for my 70th cap and while I realise that times have changed, I also know it’s some achievement,” says O’Kelly. “Mike Gibson is an absolute legend and to beat his record is special.”

O’Kelly has scored six tries for Ireland. “I never try to get too excited about it. It’s just another phase in the game. As for the matches that stand out, the away win over England last year win was pretty special, along with beating South Africa this season, Australia a few years ago and France at home and away. Winning the Triple Crown ... in fact, all these things are fantastic. To be honest, the highlights are as long as my arm.”

Things weren’t always as bright in Mal’s younger years, when he first pulled on the green jersey. “England used to put 40 and 50 points on us but funnily enough I enjoyed the game.

O’Kelly was educated at Templeogue College, a Holy Ghost establishment well acquainted with severe hammerings from their sister academy, Blackrock. In those days, he came under the influence of Fr Noel Redmond and Fr Ronnie Grimshaw and later the likes of former Ireland players Rodney O’Donnell and Ciaran Fitzgerald at St. Mary’s.

Having proved himself in the colours of Mary’s and Leinster, O’Kelly made the inevitable graduation to the Irish team in 1998 when he came up against New Zealand at Lansdowne Road. Defeat was the team’s lot, as it invariably is against the All Blacks.

“I remember competing against Ian Jones in line-outs, running into Robin Brook in a ruck, Zinzan Brook speaking and organising and one of their players going right through me,” he reflected ruefully.

“So much has changed for me since. My attitude to fitness, diet, you name it. I’m even getting married this summer. As a character I’ve changed a lot. But the basic passion and desire for rugby has not changed. Rugby has developed me. I’ve become more experienced, more mature. Once you’re involved in a match, adrenalin is an amazing thing. You’re playing with guys you really respect and enjoy playing with, you’re playing for your country, there’s a huge amount of inspiration to be taken from all that.

“The 65th minute arrives and suddenly you’re tired and don’t want to work any more. Do that and you can lose a game for your team. Or in the 65th minute, you can do something that will win the game for the team. That’s maturity.”

He knows he was lucky to get back into the side on the rare occasion he’s been dropped and acknowledges: “My concentration has dropped a few times. It’s not that Eddie didn’t think I was good enough but that he just wants the best out of me.”

O’Kelly is now a key man in Eddie O’Sullivan’s thinking and will remain so for at least another two years.

“If they (the IRFU) don’t want to give me a contract after that, I’ll go off somewhere else - I’m capable of doing the job. Michael Jordan played until he was 36, Gareth Llewellyn is still playing at 36. I’m 30 and not saying I’ll play till I’m 36...”