| Ice-cool O’Callaghan
By Graham Clifford
With just over a month to go until Ireland take to the field in Bordeaux
to face the minnows of Namibia in their first World Cup fixture Irish
players are keeping their fingers crossed that they can avoid injury.
It is virtually impossible to keep rugby players such as Munster lock
Donncha O’Callaghan wrapped in cotton wool but some inventive strategies
have been used by coach Eddie O’Sullivan as he prepares the Triple
Crown champions for the biggest tournament in world rugby.
At their training camp in the Polish town of Spala players were encouraged
to use the infamous cryotherapy chambers. At freezing temperatures the
chambers are said to enhance physical health and help assist with any
niggling injuries which may exist.
O’Callaghan spoke about the chambers and gave a humorous account
of how he dealt with the alternative fitness aid.
He said: “You’re given an oul’ pair of socks, pair of
boxers, a head band and mouth mask. It’s minus 140 degrees. You
are in there for three minutes. They tell us if you did eight minutes
you would die.”
Cramped into the small chambers O’Callaghan explains that space
can be at a premium.
He said: “If you are in there with John Hayes it can be incredibly
smelly. With Peter Stringer it can be incredibly roomy and enjoyable.
“You’ve got to be very selective who you go into cryotherapy
with. It’s best off sticking with Denis Leamy as he just wants to
get in and out.”
Jokes aside the 28-year-old Cork man said he believed the time spent in
Poland was of huge benefit to the Irish squad.
He said: “You definitely feel the benefits. You couldn’t
get through the workload without it. There’s some days you question
why you’re doing it but it stands to you at the end of big games
it gives you the strength to lift it and pull away.”
Capped 35 times for his country and a member of the British and Irish
Lions team which toured New Zealand in 2005 the hugely popular O’Callaghan
has played a massive role in Ireland’s rugby revolution.
While the Munster man is keen to play the joker in training his focus
and attention to detail when it matters has made him one of the finest
exponents of the game in the world. Donncha made his debut for Ireland
against Wales in the Millennium Stadium in March 2003.
He was a fringe player for Ireland’s last World Cup in Australia
but this time round you get the feeling that the 6ft 6ins giant is ready
to show the world just why he’s rated as highly as he is.
If O’Callaghan plays to his capabilities then the amiable comedian
will consider fitting a cryotherapy chamber in his home — albeit
a larger one than he is used to in Spala. |
