Flannery inspired Irish performance: O'Driscoll

He may not have played a part on the pitch, but Jerry Flannery was part of the inspiration for Ireland’s 15-6 victory over the Wallabies at Eden Park yesterday.

Flannery, whose career has been dogged by injury, was ruled out of the remainder of the World Cup after tearing his calf muscle in training and will be leaving New Zealand in the coming days.

Poignantly, the hooker who is renowned for his passion and commitment was given the role of presenting the Irish players with their jerseys for the Test in Aukland and spoke to the squad about what it means to represent Ireland.

“It's nice to back up all our talk from during the week,” said captain Brian O'Driscoll, in the aftermath of yesterday’s triumph.

"There were some very passionate words said by guys who weren't even in the 22. That's where this performance came from.

“There were some poignant moments throughout the week and I don't think a lot of guys will forget Jerry handing out the jerseys at the captain's meeting.”

Flanker Stephen Ferris echoed the centre’s praise for Flannery claiming the team wanted to put in the kind of performance the Munster man would be proud of.

“Jerry has a calf injury and will be leaving us soon. It was quite emotional listening to him. You could see how much it meant to him. I think the lads went out and did it for him."

Since arriving in Queenstown the Irish players and management have spoken of the positive mood in the camp, but O’Driscoll couldn’t deny the boost the victory gave the squad who had been frustrated by underwhelming performances of late.

“Seeing that happy dressing room again when you know you've really put your body on the line - that's what playing professional rugby is all about for me," he told RTÉ Sport.

"When the day comes that you give that up, that sort of thing is what you'll miss most, the contentment knowing that you've put your body on the line for 21 other guys, a 30-man squad and all the management.

“To see the smiles on all their faces makes playing footie all the better. Mentally we were in a place where we felt as though we owed ourselves a big performance.

“Much as we owed the Irish public one, we owed ourselves one first and foremost. There was a tension in training and a sense that the performance was coming. It was just a matter of making it happen."