Ronan O‘Gara
About Ronan

Who is Ronan O'Gara?

ronan o gara

Ronan O’Gara’s journey to become one of Ireland’s greatest Out-halves started half a world away. Born in San Diego on the 7th of March, 1977, ‘ROG’ as he is universally known, is Ireland’s leading points scorer, Munster’s leading points scorer, the record points scorer in the Heineken Cup and record points scorer in the RBS Six Nations.

One of the most recognisable faces in world rugby, Ronan began his playing career with Presentation Brothers College (PBC) in Cork, winning a Munster Senior Cup in 1995. A short playing career with UCC followed, which featured an Under 20’s winning medal, before Ronan began playing with Cork Constitution and Munster.

From an early age, it was obvious that Ronan possessed an extraordinary rugby brain, and in 1997, he won his first international cap, playing for the Irish Under 21 side against Scotland. The following year, Ronan steered the side to Under 21 Triple Crown success while also bringing Cork Constitution All-Ireland success in the AIB League Division One in 1999.

Ronan made his senior international debut against Scotland in 1999, along with a raft of new senior international players. This injection of youth brought immediate dividends with Ireland beating Scotland 44 – 22, with Ronan scoring over 80 points during the course of the 1999-2000 Six Nations campaign.

It was this level of performance, coupled with performances for Munster that brought them reach their first Heineken Cup final, that saw Ronan hailed as one of the most complete Out Half’s that Ireland has produced. Calm under pressure, Ronan is one of the world’s greatest tactical kickers and has achieved a level of consistency in his goal kicking that is the envy of his opponents.

As the vital pivot between forwards and backs, Ronan has been instrumental in the development of Ireland’s sparkling back line play over the last decade, helping to bring players like Brian O’Driscoll, Tommy Bowe, Rob Kearney and others into the game. But what makes Ronan stand apart from his peers is not just his playmaking ability. He excellent reading of the game means that he can just as easily kick for the corner to help his forwards or spin the ball wide to unleash strike runners. His vision has lead to some of the Ireland’s most spectacular and important tries, particularly his kick to the corner in Croke Park in 2007 to allow Shane Horgan score Ireland’s first try against England at that historic ground.

Ronan has played against the best players in Europe and the world in the Magner’s League, Heineken Cup, Autumn Internationals, Six Nations and World Cups, not to mention summer tours to the Southern Hemisphere with Ireland and three times with the Lions. On one of the biggest stages in world rugby, playing for a Grand Slam away from home in the Millennium Stadium against Wales, Ronan landed a crucial drop with seconds remaining to secure Ireland’s first Grand Slam in 60 years.

Ronan’s professional career includes one Celtic Cup, one Magner’s League winners medal, two Heineken Cup winners medals, three Triple Crowns as well as the recent Grand Slam. He is one of Ireland’s most capped players and he remains one of the most skilful, professional and dedicated rugby players in world rugby.