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'Future here' Irish urge O'Driscoll to stay in domestic game
Posted: Monday March 20, 2000 03:07 PM
DUBLIN, Ireland (Reuters) -- The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) said on Monday it would do everything in its power to stop center Brian O'Driscoll moving to an overseas club. O'Driscoll, feted for his hat trick of tries in Sunday's 27-25 Six Nations victory over France, is reportedly a target for English clubs London Irish and Newcastle and his performance in Paris is sure to attract new suitors. "I've obviously spoken with Brian and he has to decide where his future lies," IRFU Chief Executive Philip Browne told Ireland's RTE radio, "We shall be doing our utmost to encourage him to stay because we feel that the professional game has a future here in Ireland and we also would like to see our home grown talent playing here in this country." O'Driscoll plays his domestic rugby for Blackrock College and provincial side Leinster while under contract centrally with the IRFU. The IRFU deal, reportedly worth some 100,000 Irish pounds (US$123,300) per annum, expires at the end of the season. The IRFU want the 21-year-old to remain based in Ireland as they seek to build on the success of a young team which has chalked up three straight Six Nations' wins. O'Driscoll was the toast of Ireland on Monday after helping his team to record its first win in Paris for 28 years. "They were heroes one and all but none more so than the genius in the number 13 shirt. Brian O'Driscoll is the one who makes it all happen," the Irish Independent newspaper said. O'Driscoll ran in three tries on Sunday, helping a rejuvenated Ireland to an historic comeback victory, its first over France since 1983 and the first time in Paris since 1972. Ireland is second only to England in the Six Nations' standings. He showed a flair and initiative both on and off the ball which has been sorely lacking in Ireland's line-up and allowed his team to cut through gaps in France's defensive lines. "Arc De Try-Umph," was the Irish Sun's headline over its front-page picture of a grinning O'Driscoll, carried shoulder-high by his teammates in the Stade de France. The Examiner said O'Driscoll's ball-handling pointed the way for Irish rugby and called him the catalyst for victory. "The changed face, the happy face, of Irish rugby was highlighted by one young man, a three-try hero by the name of Brian O'Driscoll," the newspaper said. "The Life of Brian," ran the Irish Star's front-page headline, noting that the country's newest hero was on course to become Ireland's first rugby millionaire as talent scouts from French and English clubs circled. O'Driscoll himself played down his achievements and paid tribute to his teammates. "I'm just glad we provided some amusement for the Irish nation at last," O'Driscoll told RTE Radio on Monday. But there was no disguising the mood in Dublin, neatly summed up by Ireland captain Keith Wood. "What can you say about him? I think we will be buying him drinks for the rest of his days." (US$1-0.8109 Irish Punt)
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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