I’ll never turn my back on playing for Ireland, says O’Gara

RONAN O’GARA vowed tonever turn his back on hiscountry and pledged hisimmediate future to Ireland on hisreturn from the Rugby World Cup yesterday.

O’Gara arrived in Cork Airport alongside his long-term Munster and Irish colleague Donncha O’Callaghan, welcomed home by their respective wives Jessica andJenny, the three O’Gara children Rua, Molly and JJ, and young Sophie O’Callaghan.

Following Ireland’s sensationalvictory over Australia, O’Gara had hinted at retirement. Yesterday,however, he suggested differently.

“It’s very disappointing but it was a great bunch of lads to be with, great camaraderie and a lot of highlights for us to take away from the competition,” he said.

“I haven’t thought long term. I think an awful lot happens in a week but I think Irish rugby has been so good to me that you don’t walk away from that.

“You see what’s in store but then the other side of it is I’m 34 and there is new talent coming through, so we’ll see what happens. But you don’t ever turn your back on a great country you know.”

As O’Gara prepared for a big family celebration – twins Rua and Molly yesterday celebrated their third birthday — O’Callaghan was on his way home to grieve with his mother Marie and the rest of the extended family following the death of his beloved maternal grandmother Joan Roche (85), who was buried on Monday.

“I’m just thankful of the number of people that rallied around the family at this time; now it’s time to get tight with the family,” he said.

The big second row took time to reflect on what he described asanother huge display of faith by the Irish rugby public, both at home and in New Zealand.

“We are hugely thankful. We were fully aware of the support at home. The team room was full of faxes, covered with them, with textmessages and cards. Then there was the amount of people that travelled on top of the people back packing around the place. They really made it their own and we’re really thankful for that.”

O’Gara took consolation in the homecoming this time compared to the World Cup in 2007 when Ireland failed to make the knock out stages.

“We have had long careers and I remember coming back here four years ago and the feeling was completely different, yet the run out we had in Musgrave Park when we played for our local team was something we will never forget.”

“I think Irish people are really loyal. The team is hurting but there have been some highlights and you don’t forget them either.”

Both will now enjoy a well-earned rest with the IRFU insisting allmembers of the squad be given a two-week break.

But in typical fashion, O’Callaghan intimated the sooner he got back on the horse the better.

“I’d play in the morning now if I thought we could right the wrongs. The only way you can articulate how you’re feeling is by putting it intoaction on the pitch, so yeah, we’re mad keen to get back.”