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Brian’s Blog: Rest, Food And 100 Caps

Brian’s Blog: Rest, Food And 100 Caps

This weekend will mark a milestone for Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll as he wins his 100th cap for his country. Today he brings us up to date on what he has been up to between games and looks forward to Saturday’s clash with Wales.

Good to see Paulie (O’Connell) has been hitting the fairways but as a fair weather golfer, I haven’t yet been lured to the course. It’ll only take one semi-decent round mind you to get the appetite back.

I enjoyed a wonderfully refreshing break in Wexford last weekend with some fine dining (in Marlfield House) and a nice stroll or two on the beach.

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It was all very relaxing and therapeutic in mending body and mind ahead of the final two matches in the RBS 6 Nations.

This week on my day off I managed to pack in lunch with my father, coffee and a scone with Denis Hickie, a crepe and a coffee with several team-mates after a stroll down Dawson Street – a foreign dignitary was browsing in a bookshop surrounded by a phalanx of security that brought the street to a standstill – and a meal in Wagamama with Jonathan Sexton, Geordan Murphy and Johne Murphy.

I’m trying to cut down on my coffee intake but it’s fair to say that my best intentions slipped a little the other day.

I watched the Man Utd match and couldn’t get over how poorly AC Milan played. They didn’t do any chasing down and their work ethic in general was appalling.

It was a bit of a shock to see Real Madrid go out but you have to give Lyon credit for the manner in which they rode their luck a little in the first half and realistically could have ended up winning the game 3-1 with those two late chances.

Despite being something of a selling club over the past eight years or so, Lyon have managed to retain a decent pedigree in the Champions League.

It’s great to be back playing at Croke Park; the pitch is in excellent condition. We’re really looking forward to playing our final two games there.

I got that familiar buzz this week moving into the Shelbourne hotel – town is on your doorstep with a variety of distractions – and now just can not wait for the weekend.

I have been very flattered with the tributes on the occasion of my 100th cap. I have had lovely texts from former team-mates and it’s been very humbling.

Obviously I’ve thought about what it means to me to represent my country 100 times but that milestone won’t change the way I approach the Welsh game.

I’ll still prepare the same way I do for every match because not to do so would be unfair to my team-mates. The best way for me to celebrate on Saturday is to help Ireland beat Wales and that will be my sole focus. 

Related Links –

Brian’s Blog – click here for previous blogs