O’Gara savours magical first drop

THE first drop goal of his international career and what an important one!

Ronan O’Gara isn’t usually the most demonstrative of players but when his 40 metre drop kick sailed between the Millennium Stadium posts in the 82nd minute of Saturday’s thriller, he allowed himself a mighty leap of delight and an ecstatic punch of the Cardiff air.

O’Gara had suffered weeks of frustration when the call finally arrived in the 70th minute. It was hardly the ideal time to come into the game, with the dragon spewing fire and the shamrock visbly wilting. The men in green were hanging on desperately to a single point advantage, 22-21. What happened next is the stuff of dreams and ensured Ronan’s special place in the annals of the Irish game. THAT drop goal will be spoken of for many a long day.