Gibson happy for O’Kelly as he surpasses record

SEEING Malcolm O’Kelly overtake his record haul of Irish caps at Murrayfield will only bring back happy memories for the man regarded by many as the greatest ever to don the green jersey.

Mike Gibson, whose 69 Irish caps is being surpassed by O’Kelly this afternoon, has only the fondest memories of the day he himself took the record off Willie John McBride by running out at Lansdowne Road against New Zealand in 1978.

“I feel happy for Malcolm, because I still remember how happy and honoured I was by the reception I got from the other players and the crowd on the day I got the record.