Final heartbreak key to my kicking success, says O’Gara

MUNSTER and Ireland out-half Ronan O’Gara has revealed the secret behind his phenomenal kicking success — the memory of his agonising late miss in Munster’s heartbreaking 9-8 defeat to Northampton in the Heineken Cup final at Twickenham in 2000.

O’Gara had a golden chance to win European rugby’s biggest club trophy when Munster were awarded a penalty two minutes from time just outside Northampton’s 22 but his effort drifted just past the post and Munster’s last chance of victory was gone. It was a traumatic day for the out-half who missed two other penalties, a conversion and two attempts at a drop goal during the game.

However looking back he feels the experience, bitter though it was, made him a stronger player.