O'Gara won't be drawn on future yet

Ronan O’Gara, the record points scorer and most-capped player in Heineken Cup history, would not be drawn on whether yesterday's 16-10 defeat away to Clermont Auvergne was his final outing at this level.

Ronan O’Gara, the record points scorer and most-capped player in Heineken Cup history, would not be drawn on whether yesterday's 16-10 semi-final defeat away to Clermont Auvergne was his final outing at this level.

The Munster out-half had kicked the visitors into an early lead and it was his perfectly weighted grubber kick that teed up Hurley for the only try of the second half.

The raw emotion was etched on the 36-year-old’s face after the final whistle as the province bowed out at the penultimate stage.

“Defeat is extremely hard to take after you have put so much into a game like that. But it is winner takes all in a semi-final,” said O’Gara.

“This is an unbelievable competition and it was an incredible atmosphere. It was a fantastic occasion to be a part of, but the only reason we play is to win.

“There was some serious resilience from Munster and I am proud to be a part of the team. We are growing and getting better as a team, but we gave Clermont too much of a start (leading 13-3 at half-time).

“When we come away from home you ask for character from a team and we certainly showed that – we gave our all.”

Asked about his own playing future, the Corkman added: “It’s not the time for me to be thinking or talking about retirement. I owed it to my team-mates to be totally focused on the game today and I was.

“I love coming to France and playing and this competition have given me the best memories. I will sleep on it until the end of the season.”