O'Gara says competition with Sexton will bring out best in him
Monday October 26 2009
RONAN O'GARA believes the competition for his Ireland No 10 jersey will bring the best out of him ahead of next month's international series.
Ireland begin their season against Australia on November 14 and the form of Jonathan Sexton has led to much speculation that national coach Declan Kidney will opt for the Leinster man ahead of O'Gara next month.
"They're more than worthy comments," said O'Gara.
"I've started the season slowly and you know there's going to be huge competition for places and if you want to play for Ireland you have got to be playing well and that's been the case for 10 years.
"An awful lot can happen in a week though, and if you have a good track record that will stand to you too. There will be huge competition but that's what I'll enjoy and there will be opportunities to improve.
"I've played five games this season, the Northampton game was the key game and I played well in that game. I think you can over-hype all these things too, the general game is going well, the goal-kicking isn't going well but I don't think there's any need to be going hysterical."
O'Gara was playing the night Leinster humiliated Munster 30-0 at the RDS and although Tony McGahan's side top their Heineken Cup pool after the narrow loss to Northampton and thumping win over Treviso, they have lost three of six Magners League matches, including last Friday in Edinburgh, when O'Gara missed several kicks at goal.
Munster and O'Gara have been shipping some heavy criticism but, while acknowledging that the side are not playing well, the out-half is confident the province can rediscover their form.
"It's not doom and gloom. We have to improve a huge amount in December but that can happen and we're positive about that happening. A lot of us are experienced pros and we have to make this work and we will make this work. There is plenty of confidence, plenty of ambition, we're realistic too, the form isn't great but that can change."
O'Gara will be one of a host of Grand Slam-winners named when Kidney's Ireland squad, expected to number 37, is announced tomorrow afternoon. The announcement was put back by 24 hours to assess various injury issues.
With Rory Best unavailable for the season and Jerry Flannery presumed to be out for the next couple of weeks at least, much interest will focus on the hookers in the squad.
Bernard Jackman did not return after being sin-binned just before half-time in Leinster's 16-14 defeat to Ulster on Saturday but Leinster say there are no worries over his fitness, while Leinster colleague John Fogarty, Munster's Denis Fogarty and Connacht's Sean Cronin are also pushing for inclusion.
- Hugh Farrelly
Irish Independent
