Donnacha Ryan has revealed the inspiration the Ireland squad takes from other Irish sports stars, while also paying tribute to Paul O’Connell, ahead of their Rugby World Cup quarter-final clash with Argentina.
With Argentina lying in wait on Sunday, it seems Rory McIlroy was able to bring a healthy mixture of recreation and inspiration to the Irish rugby camp this week.
After McIlroy joined them at Celtic Manor in Newport for some golf tips, Ryan said: “I was giving him (McIlroy) some good tips on how to dig holes on the golf course! No, definitely not. I’m just delighted to have seen him hit a few balls off the tee. I hit one or two and was struggling to hit it out of my way to be honest.
“He’s a very patient guy, a very interesting guy. It was fantastic the information he was giving us and it was great to have a bit of fun.”
"Even Henry Shefflin – I really enjoyed chatting to him. And all the times he broke Tipperary hearts – it was criminal! But he was a fantastic character to chat with."
Ryan continued: “He really enjoyed it as well. That’s how fortunate we are with the position we’re in – to get to meet individuals like that. The week before we met some fantastic characters in Celtic Manor. It’s just great to meet those people because it gives you a lot of inspiration aswell.”
Ryan went on to explain the respite from the pressure of competition the players glean from such meetings, adding: “Listening to stories from Barry McGuigan back when he was fighting, and Niall Quinn when he talks about the team from the 90s playing soccer as well...You know, you’re growing up watching these guys play, admiring these guys, and he (McIlroy) is giving you the same kind of perspective we would have had for them, as he has for us now.
“Even Henry Shefflin – I really enjoyed chatting to him. And all the times he broke Tipperary hearts – it was criminal! But he was a fantastic character to chat with. And Sonia O’Sullivan, AP McCoy were great too.
“So it gives you a massive switch off, and you realise that although they’re different codes these people go through the same pressures and challenges.”
As for O’Connell’s injury, his long-time second row partner with Munster and Ireland, Ryan said: “He’s an amazing guy and a great mate aswell. He’ll be well missed, but he’s certainly left a massive legacy.”
“The best compliment I could really pay him is when I was playing alongside him is that I never cared who I was playing against. It was always about trying to beat who was opposite me and if I could get close to his realm of performance, I knew I was playing well or doing good – that’s when you’re dealing with best in the world there.”
As for the challenge Ireland face this weekend against Argentina, Ryan said: “They’re a really impressive side. They were three points behind New Zealand until about 65 minutes and ran them ten points close, while leading for large parts of that game so, yeah, they’re going to be a very, very tough side this weekend.”
Ireland must do without O'Connell and Peter O'Mahony for the rest of their campaign, while back-row Sean O'Brien is banned for Sunday's Pumas clash.
In what has to be major pack reshuffle for this weekend's last-eight battle, Ulster’s Iain Henderson could start at blindside flanker, while Ryan could start with Devin Toner at lock.
