Brian O’Driscoll has been voted the greatest Heineken Cup player of all time in a study by Heineken that analyses the latest opinions, habits and trends and of Irish Heineken Cup fans.
In an all-Ireland study, when asked ‘who is the greatest Heineken Cup Player of all time?’, 76% of fans voted Brian O’Driscoll. Team mate and Munster rival Ronan O’Gara pulled in 15% of the votes. Martin Johnson and Diego Dominguez each snagged 1% of the fans votes and the remaining 7% of nominations was made up of votes for Rocky Elsom, John Hayes, Peter Clohessy, Yannick Jauzion, Peter Stringer and Stephen Ferris.
The survey also found that Ireland’s rugby fans consider themselves very passionate with 39% selecting 10 when asked to rate how big a rugby fan they consider themselves on a scale of 1-10. The average score was a very high 8/10, showing the passion for the game in Ireland is very much alive and kicking. This weekend Heineken will reward fans’ passion with Heineken Cup Green Zones – dedicated areas in participating Dublin pubs designed to enhance the excitement and experience this semi-final weekend. The Heineken Green Zone team will also be on hand on Friday evening with the opportunity for fans to snap up tickets to Ulster Vs. Edinburgh with the Unlock a Locker competition.
Heineken Cup Survey Results
Provincial Allegiance
When asked ‘How important it is that their province does well in the Heineken Cup?’ more than half (54%) said it is ‘a matter of life and death’. 44% say they would ‘like to see their team to do well, but don’t mind too much’ and just over 2% claim it’s ‘not important’ to see their team do well in the competition.
When asked if their own province was eliminated would they support another Irish province 66% said they would support another Irish province with 24% saying it would depend on the province. A die-hard group of 10% said never, choosing to stick by their province no matter what.
Favourite Heineken Cup commentator
Michael Corcoran has come out on top as the nations’ favourite Heineken Cup commentator. The RTE commentator secured 38% of the vote, narrowly beating Stuart Barnes at 36%. Dewi Morris picked up 12% with the last 14% of votes going for others including Will Greenwood and Paul Wallace.
Heineken Cup Winner Predictions
When asked who will win the Heineken Cup this year the answer was a resounding yes we can for Leinster who received 84% of the vote with Ulster on 9% and Clermont on 7%. Edinburgh received a resounding ‘no’ without a single vote.
The Heineken Green Zones return to Dublin this weekend for the Heineken Cup semi-final. In participating Heineken pubs throughout Dublin, the Heineken Green Zone areas recreate the stadium feel with goalposts and stadium floodlights where fans can engage, connect and enjoy a chilled Heineken before, during and after the game. Heineken will also give fans the chance to get to the semi final in the Aviva Stadium with the Unlock a Locker competition. For a chance to win these, fans should visit the Ferryman Inn on Friday at 5.30PM and Kielys of Donnybrook at 9PM that same evening.
To find the nearest Heineken Green Zone visit www.heineken.ie/heinekencup
