Veteran O’Kelly still relishing big challenges

THESE days, Malcolm O’Kelly takes his inspiration from both young and old as he thunders through another year in professional rugby.

On the one hand, the veteran international second-row wonders at the spring-like capabilities of young Leinster and Irish prop Cian Healy; at the other end of the scale, he looks in awe at the durability of English second-row Danny Grewcock who intends carrying on playing for another season to bring him to the grand old age of 38.

“I’m only 35,” argues O’Kelly, reasoning what’s possible for the Englishman is possible for him too. Anyway, he doesn’t quite like the prospect of severing his links with Leinster players who are friends as well as colleagues.