2014 SAW THE retirement of one of Ireland’s great ever sportspeople in Brian O’Driscoll. His final year couldn’t have gone much better from a silverware point of view, with 6 Nations and Pro12 medals being added to the centre’s sizeable haul of accolades.
To mark the end of the year, we put together the best pictures from Brian O’Driscoll’s memorable 2014.
Joe Schmidt barks orders at O’Driscoll and the rest of the Irish backline
Brian O’Driscoll leaves the field after his last international home game against Italy
Moments earlier he had thrown this delicious offload before being substituted in an emotional moment
O’Driscoll after breaking the record for most international caps after the Italy game
O’Driscoll made a trademark burst in the build-up to Ireland’s second try in the 6 Nations decider against France
Two of Ireland’s greatest warriors celebrate the winning of the 6 Nations in Paris
O’Driscoll couldn’t contain himself at the final whistle
His last act in the green jersey
Champagne everywhere in the changing room afterwards
A no doubt hungover O’Driscoll with the 6 Nations trophy
BOD was even happy to get in a few selfies
The lads looked sharp in grey
He also paid a visit to Temple Street Children’s Hospital with one last piece of silverware
O’Driscoll was also given the Freedom of the City of Dublin
He got over for a try in his final derby against Munster
His last ever Heineken Cup game ended in defeat at the quarter-final stage against Toulon
His travelling fans were as gutted as he was
That game also served as a European ‘loser leaves town’ match between O’Driscoll and Jonny Wilkinson
His final year gave him plenty of opportunities to soldier alongside long-time centre partner Gordon D’Arcy
A collectors item for any BOD fan
The expectations were high for the Pro12 final against Glasgow at the RDS, which was his last game as a professional
But an early injury forced him off a rugby pitch for the last time
However, he still got to go out as a winner once again
Now O’Driscoll has other things to concentrate on, like his wife Amy Huberman and their two children, Sadie and Billy
He’s also turned into a radio shock-jock on Newstalk
Brought out an autobiography
And joined the dark forces of BT’s banter brigade
Not bad for a centre that used to look like a prop