O’Gara bouncing back from Boks bombshell

RONAN O’GARA last night revealed the depth of his hurt at being dropped for Ireland’s clash with world champions South Africa last November.

Coach Declan Kidney sensationally selected young tyro Jonathan Sexton for the meeting with the Springboks, leaving O’Gara to kick his heels on the replacements bench.

The out-half admitted he had been especially anxious to face Peter de Villiers’ side in an effort to exorcise the demons of his late penalty concession which cost the Lions the second test – and the series – in Pretoria last summer.