KATIE O’BRIEN AND Tiarnán O’Donnell finished second in their Mixed Double Sculls ‘B’ final this morning to claim an eighth-placed overall finish at the Paralympic Games.
Irish fans once again lined the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium as their duo came home in 8:50.16, just over seven seconds behind the Netherlands.
O’Donnell, who only took up rowing last year, described himself as “tired”.
“That’s my first event going back to back for three days in an event and I’m really tired”, O’Donnell said, “but I’ve realised that my body is able for more than I thought. It’s going to be such a good experience to bring into the next competition.”
O’Brien said she was “ready to relax, sit back and look at what we have achieved”.
“And I’m so appreciative to have had such a fun experience over the last four weeks,” she added. “Obviously it’s not the dream result but I think taking everything into account, we have to be happy with ourselves and take the positives from this.
O’Donnell said the whole week in Paris had been “a blur” and “intense”.
“We will look back on our performance but for now, we want to enjoy being Paralympians and relax a little,” he added.
O’Brien agreed: “It means a huge amount to me. I set out to become a Paralympian 12 years ago and it won’t be until I’m at home on the sofa in Galway that it will finally sink in.”
It will be fascinating to see if Farrell and Cullen remain at odds in how they view Leinster’s out half pecking order. At this point, baring a major injury crisis – or a switch in club, perhaps – it seems unlikely that either Byrne will play for Ireland again. RB has 22 caps; he’s had plenty of opportunity.
HB has been so unfortunate with injuries that he just seems way out of contention for anything like regular appearances, much less starts. He must be eyeing a move, especially with Charlie Tector (22) in the mix too.
RB’s failure to take a winning drop goal at the Aviva against LR was the moment I lost faith in him. Of all Leinster’s recent failure, that one was the worst by far. Leo clearly disagrees (& obvs knows a lot more than me!). RB’s very good, but not elite – probably not a EC-winning team leader. Like Molony, like Deegan. France surely beckons – best of luck to the guy, who has been a great servant to Leinster.
SP & CT are clearly the future, but I think there is a strong argument that Frawley is Leinster’s best out half currently. I’d love to see him in the driving seat for the rest of the campaign, with SP backing up and gaining experience from the bench in EC games, starting maybe half the URC ones.
@Brian Corcoran: RB is out of contract at the end of the season so most probably leaving Leinster.
Given how reliant Ireland are on Leinster, it makes sense that they have 4 at least ‘decent’ flyhalfs. Assuming RB is gone next season that leaves:
1. CF
2. SP
3. HB
4. CT
During international windows, CF and SP would likely be unavailable for Leinster.
From an injury prone point of view, think I’d rather keep RB over HB.
@Andrew: Personally, I think SP will be no. 1 this season never mind next. Charlie Tector seems to have been moved to 12 and is not being considered as a 10 any longer. Will Gaspar play a few games next year if RB leaves? Having said that, reports yesterday suggested that there is an offer from Leinster (which is below his own valuation) on the table. And Montpellier are getting impatient. I think Ross is playing a game and will end up staying in Ireland.
@Brian Corcoran: The talk during the early summer (pre SA games) that definitely HB was offered to Connacht and declined eventually, and CF was trying to be tempted to Ulster. When Frawley played a blinder and HB kept Connacht in the dark, they’d to go to SH to get players quick..Looking at it now, both of them playing week in week out within Irish system would be much better for all concerned.
@Paul Ennis: yep, Caspar comes into the mix next season , one of Byrnes will go . My bet is Ross goes to France and becomes a legendary fly half in the Top14
@Owen ODonoghue: He’ll be broke up, be mad to leave the Irish comfort zone.
@Thesaltyurchin: I agree… I think Madigan was a more robust player and French rugby destroyed him. Ross would be better off moving to one of the other provinces and his steady reliable standard will always have him 2 injuries from an Irish squad
@Paul Ennis: something Jackman has advocated a few times on the Rugby Weekly Extra pod is the idea that if a player goes overseas and does really well, that they are not out of contention for Ireland.
His theoretical example was Marmion: in the case that he were on fire for Bristol, Farrell/Easterby should be allowed to pick him. If he becomes a key player – or there is at least ongoing interest from Team Ireland – then the IRFU should try to bring him home at the next opportunity. If he choses not to come home, then at that point he is considered no longer eligible.
I really like this idea, and the Leinster bottleneck at 10 (and, arguably, back row) is a good example of how it could work. If I were RB – or indeed HB – my Ireland prospects would be a major element in my decision making, and might just prevent me from moving to a Montpellier. Given that Team Ireland would benefit from RB and HB playing regularly elsewhere, thus clearing the bottleneck at Leinster and getting game time for CF and SP (& below), this seems like a system we want to encourage (although I can see why Ulster might feel differently in the case of Stockdale, etc – but maybe Ulster just need to get their sh*t together generally…)
Imo Frawley’s still ahead of Sam but it looks inevitable to reverse in time. The Byrnes are too removed from the line, they need to go somewhere that challenges them to get their place. Tector can back up at 10 when needed.
For Leinsters Heineken Cup chances it has to be Frawley and Prendergast
Ross has had his chance and just doesn’t cut the mustard at the top top level. He has the ability to do it but seemingly not the mental state.
Harry is just too injury prone. With Casper Gabriel ear marked as a future prospect and Charlie Tector as a good 10/12 option it would be best for both Byrnes to move on over the next 2 seasons.