O’Gara named top player in Heineken Cup history

RONAN O’GARA was yesterday left “completely overwhelmed” after being named as the best player in the 15-year history of the Heineken Cup.

The decorated Munster out-half, who has notched a record 1,138 points in a competition he has won twice – in 2006 and 2008 – was yesterday revealed as the winner of the ERC European Player Award.

The ERC gathered a panel of experts, including Irish Examiner columnist Donal Lenihan, to compile a European rugby Dream Team, based on performances in their flagship competitions, the Heineken Cup and the Amlin Challenge Cup, to mark their 15th anniversary.