FOR proud Limerick man Paul O’Connell, Tuesday April 21, 2009 will live long in the memory.
At 1.30pm in the Sofitel Heathrow Hotel, London, Paul was officially named as the 27th Lions Captain, 11th from Ireland, of the touring British and Irish Lions rugby team. And Limerick roared in approval. His fellow Treaty men in Jerry Flannery, Keith Earls and David Wallace will join him on the eight week tour of South Africa.
Messages of congratulations, led by Mayor John Gilligan, have been pouring in from all over the world.
Named to lead a squad of 37 players, O’Connell is joined by 13 other Irish players, including seven Munster colleagues.
Indeed, Munster’s eight man party equals the record held by Leicester for the most Lions members from one club. They are, Paul O’Connell, Jerry Flannery, Donncha O’Callaghan, Alan Quinlan, Tomás O’Leary, Ronan O Gara, Keith Earls and David Wallace.
On May 30, the Lions will start a 10 game tour of South Africa, which will include three test games against the World Champion Springboks.
Speaking to the Limerick Post, O’Connell, made aware of his captaincy seven days in advance, spoke of his pride for Limerick.
“Obviously, I am so proud to be from Limerick, I always will be. As you say, to be the first Limerickman to captain the Lions is a huge honour, too. There is a great history of rugby in Limerick and hopefully, we can have a successful tour.
“With eight from Munster and four from Limerick, it will be great for the city. It is a great achievement to have so many from the one club, but all that came from hard work over a number of years”.
The greatest pre-announcement debate surrounded the choice of captain. Would it be Munster Captain Paul O’Connell or would it be Ireland’s Grand Slam winning chief, Brian O’Driscoll?
Lions Tour manager Ian Mc Geechan had this to say to the Limerick Post.
“For me, it was all about focus in the forwards. Paul has had a fantastic season both in the Heineken Cup and Six Nations. He has a tremendous amount of respect in the four nations and within this coaching team. When touring South Africa, it is key to have that focal point in the front five. Strong combinations and experience are needed and we have that all over the squad led by Paul”.
14 is a record number for Ireland in Lions squads.
Of those, two names, once announced, drew intakes of surprise from the assembled journalists and no doubt cries of jubilation from families and friends. Keith Earls’ and Alan Quinlan’s inclusion may come as a surprise to some but not to Munster fans.
Captain O’Connell had this to say about the two ‘wild cards’. “Quinny’s family will be delighted. He has had so many close calls with Ireland over the years that this is a great reward.
“He is a massively passionate guy. A great character. I think he is absolutely made for the Lions, both on and off the pitch”.
Quinlan is joined by Keith Earls. A winner of a Senior Schools cup only three years ago, Earls is a cousin of former Southampton FC player Michael Earls, holder of several international caps..
Said his dad Ger, “I had a few pints to celebrate…the party is likely to go on for some time yet”.
