Product Description

Ronan O'Gara is one of the greatest sportsmen Ireland has ever produced. A brilliant kicker both from the hand and at penalty goals, a sublime orchestrator of play from the out-half position he has made his own, and a cool head in the pressure-cooker of club and international rugby, the list of the Cork man's achievements goes on and on. The leading points scorer in Irish rugby history, the Six Nations and the Heineken Cup. The architect of two amazing Munster triumphs in Europe. The man whose last minute drop-goal sensationally won the Grand Slam in 2009, Ireland's first for 61 years. In his candid, illuminating autobiography, O'Gara tells the story of those many on-field successes and, with brutal honesty, the darker days as well, most notably at the 2007 World Cup. He tells the inside story of Ireland's disappointments in France, and responds to the allegations about his personal life that made front-page news that autumn. "Ronan O'Gara: My Autobiography" is the unforgettable story of a rugby player at the top of his game, of a life lived to the full, and of a passionate and proud representative of the people of Cork and Ireland.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #24263 in Books
• Published on: 2009-07-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

From the Inside Flap
Ronan O’Gara is one of the greatest sportsmen Ireland has ever produced. The leading points scorer in the history of Irish rugby, with more than 800 points to his name in over 80 caps for his country, O’Gara has developed into an inspirational leader on and off the pitch. A brilliant kicker from the hand and at goal, a sublime orchestrator of play from the out-half position and a cool head in the pressure-cooker atmosphere of top-class rugby, there are few players in the world who can match his abilities and achievements.

In this candid and illuminating autobiography, O’Gara now tells the inside story of his many challenges and triumphs. From his early days in Cork through to his international debut in 2000 and three Triple Crowns in the past five years, RO’G has risen to become a master of the game at No. 10. With Munster, there was the ‘Miracle Match’ against Gloucester in 2003, the stunning success of 2006, when O’Gara’s composure and perfect kicking led his team to lift the Heineken Cup for the first time in an unforgettable final against Biarritz at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, and then a sensational second triumph against Toulouse in 2008.

Yet in any career there are setbacks as well, and O’Gara does not shy away from addressing the darker days, most notably at the 2007 World Cup. He tells the inside story of Ireland’s disappointments in France, and responds to the allegations about his personal life that made front-page news that autumn. Ronan O’Gara: My Autobiography is the story of an Irish rugby hero, of a life lived to the full and of a modern-day sporting legend.

About the Author
Ronan O'Gara was born in 1977 in California. He was a star player at Presentation Brothers College, University College Cork and Cork Constitution, and soon became a key member of the Irish national rugby squad. Since making his international debut in 2000, O'Gara has gone on to win more than 90 caps and score more than 900 points for Ireland. He was the leading points scorer in the Six Nations championship in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009, winning three Triple Crowns and one Grand Slam, and won the Heineken Cup with Munster in 2006 and 2008.

Customer Reviews

A rare insight into the mind of a modern great
Ronan O'Gara is something of a rugby enigma, a player of superb quality who has become synonymous with the Heinekken Cup and yet also the victim of unjust criticism and doomed never to receive the recognition he is due.

This autobiography is a great opportunity for a true rugby fan, whether a Munster or Ireland supporter, a Neutral or a grudging admirer, the book offers a chance to really get an insight into this great players life. I say life, because the work bucks the trend of recent sporting biographies to focus purely on the players career and instead provides a warts and all account of life as a professional player. The work is refreshingly honest and Ronan is quick point out his mistakes and regrets as his is to highlight his greatest moments.

For a career that has spanned so long a period there are dozens of choice moments and periods to read on, from his on-field rivalry with David Humphries, to the Munster saga that underpins his professional career, the World Cup in 2007 and more.

The work only gets 4 stars as I felt it has been written a little prematurely, Ronan still has several playing years left and one would hope plenty more stories to tell, and the suspicion is that with Ronan being so private an individual he won't write them down for a second volume. That aside this is a fantastic read and is a must have for fans of rugby.

Thoroughly Entertaining Read
This is a thoroughly entertaining read.

From the first page we get an insight into the way ROG thinks. The honesty throughout is a shining example as to what turns a biography into an autobiography and a story into an enthralling journey.

ROG is gracious in defeat, forthcoming in acknowledging his failures, yet always positive in his outlook, readily seeking the next development steps in his game and personal life.

ROG is undoubtedly spirited. However one wonders about the wisdom of his choice of language in describing Sebastien Chabal, the French International. I hope Chabal doesn't read the book !!

Overall, ROG takes us on an excellently paced journey through his key games for Ireland and Munster. He seamlessly weaves between unfolding the developments in the Six Nations, Heineken Cup and Magner's League, easily keeping the reader's attention with an almost suspense-like approach to match description.

Notwithstanding that he admits to occasionally making the mistake of speaking too freely to the Press, ROG values his privacy off the pitch. He expresses an unease at being asked to sign autographs, perhaps indicating the ordinary man behind the extraordinary talent.

The last word on ROG has to be down to the statistics on his achievements that comprise the four appendices. Awesome !

Ronan's Story
I bought this book for my dad to read as he is a massive Gaelic football supporter, but he raved on about it so much that I had to read it myself and I was most impressed with his frankness and honesty and you really felt like you knew more about what made Ronan the person he is today. A very good read, especially for keen gaelic football / rugby followers.