Paul’s Blog: Enjoying The Calm Before The Storm
Away from the training pitch and the serious preparations for Saturday’s showdown with Wales, Paul O’Connell has been enjoying some time off with his team-mates and keeping up with the progress of his young son Paddy. Check out his latest O2 Rugby blog.
In reflecting on the victory over Italy one of the most satisfying aspects was the nature of the performance. We earned the right to do what we did in the second half by laying the platform in the opening 40 minutes. The backs then opened them up and scored those tries.
My hamstring began to tighten up and as a player you’re aware that the more tired you get the greater the risk. At 20 points up I knew I couldn’t risk staying on the pitch any longer so I headed for the sideline. I did a bit of bike work and again the following morning and it feels fine now.
I have enjoyed a very sedate lifestyle on the down days, minding the hamstring carefully. I did go out for a lovely lunch with Quinny (Alan Quinlan), ROG (Ronan O’Gara), Jim Williams and Christian Cullen.
Cully picked us up in his jeep and we had a good laugh in recalling old times. I have been doing a bit of browsing including spending some time on Friday with my parents.
Speaking of family, Paddy, my son, is now able to make the noises of seven different animals when he’s shown a picture – something he couldn’t do before I left for New Zealand. It’s probably three more than some of my team-mates might manage!
Fair play to Donnacha Ryan who managed to organise a room, projector, popcorn, ice cream and sweets and a copy of the film, Last of the Mohicans, which we all watched together as a squad.
My table tennis career has hit a road block. Despite beating Eoin Reddan, I lost to Fergus McFadden and Rob Kearney, those boarders spent far too much of their youth practising!
The lads have gone golfing, ten pin bowling and for Tony Buckley shooting, but the only activity on our minds now is 80 minutes in Wellington and emptying the tank once again.
Related Links –
Paul’s blogs are on www.O2.ie/rugby.
Paul’s Blog: Rehabbing, Donners And Phenomenal Support
Follow the Ireland team in New Zealand on www.twitter.com/irfurugby.