O’Gara: Fans’ support absolutely vital

RONAN O’GARA has issued an emotional plea for Ireland fans to defy the bleak economic climate by reviving their support for the team.

Swathes of empty seats greeted the homecoming to Lansdowne Road with only 35,515 tickets sold for Saturday’s 23-21 defeat by South Africa, over 16,000 short of the 51,700 capacity.

It was an unsatisfying way for O’Gara – a magnificent servant to Irish rugby - to celebrate his 100th cap, even if his introduction from the bench with 15 minutes remaining did inspire a spirited fight back.