Ronan O'Gara reacts to Johnny Sexton's account of how their fierce rivalry started
Former Munster and Ireland great Ronan O'Gara is amused by the retelling of the story by Johnny Sexton in his new autobiography 'Obsessed'
Ronan O'Gara has laughed off Johnny Sexton's account of the beginning of their food, adding that his former rival "has a good heart".
In his new autobiography 'Obsessed', Sexton recalled the origin of a long-running animosity that ended when they worked together at Racing 92 at the start of O'Gara's coaching career.
The rivalry kicked off in April 2009 in a clash between Munster and Leinster at Thomond Park, when Sexton came on as a replacement.
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"The real flare up started when I went to clear out Lifeimi Mafi after he’d tip tackled Chris Whitaker,” wrote Sexton. “I caught him above the eye with a stud by accident and he retaliated. Fists were thrown.
“Paul O’Connell was quick on the scene, asking Mafi who’d caused the gash above his eye. Suddenly, I have Paulie pointing the finger at me and giving me a mouthful. A scary sight. I squared my shoulders at him, but from a safe distance.
“With Paulie there for protection, O’Gara was also in my face. What the f**k are you doing? I responded by shaping to punch him, just drawing my fist back.
“When he winced, I called him a coward and that really set him off,” he continued. “‘Call me a coward? You’re nothing. You’re useless! A nobody'. It soon broke up, but I started his words in a place where they could fester.”
O'Gara couldn't help laughing when that passage of the book was read to him Off The Ball this morning.
The La Rochelle head coach muttered, "Oh no, oh no," before adding, "When was that? 15 years ago, is it? If you were to ask me honestly what was said, I've no idea, you know?".
Only a few weeks later, Sexton was snapped roaring in O'Gara's face after Leinster scored a try in their Heineken Cup semi-final victory over Munster at Croke Park.
The pair later went on to be rivals for the Ireland No.10 shirt and Sexton admits that he used to picture O'Gara's head as a target when he kicked penalties and conversions.
"It was feisty alright at the start, that's for sure, yeah, there's no doubt about that," said O'Gara. "But you're talking about a good guy. He's a good guy.
"There's no doubt about it, I understand. He's recapping from whatever, his early days with me, our relationship, all that kind of stuff. I firmly believe this guy has a good heart."
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