Donncha O'Callaghan admits he didn't enjoy the wins in his 90-cap Ireland career

Irish Daily Mirror

20-05-2025

Irish rugby legend Donncha O'Callaghan has admitted he didn't enjoy the wins during his 90-cap international career.
The 46-year-old, who turned to a broadcasting career after retiring, has revealed that he constantly doubted his sporting abilities.
In a candid chat on The Bookshelf with Ryan Tubridy, the former Munster player spoke about the anxiety he would feel before every game. While sitting in the dressing rooms before some of Ireland's biggest matches, Donncha thought he would 'get exposed' for not being a good enough player.
He told the former Late Late Show host: 'I used to look over at guys like Paul [O'Connell] and Brian [O'Driscoll] before matches and see them nervous and nearly be cross. How are they nervous? Look how talented the two of them are… it didn't add up for me.'
O'Callaghan feared he would 'get found out' for not being good enough before every game. However, he revealed that this anxiety drove him to being a better player. He added: 'My point of difference was the non-talent stuff, I had to work my tail off.'
During his time with Munster and Ireland, the lock said his mindset was all about not losing rather than enjoying winning. He said: 'My drive was to avoid the downs, avoid the losses. The wins I didn't enjoy… but it's not the best fuel and I wish it didn't fuel me as long as it did.'
Donncha told Ryan that he'd have had the same mindset no matter where he grew up as 'it was embedded at home, that kind of mindset where no one's going to give us anything'.
The retired player, who recently stepped back from hosting 2FM Breakfast, said he has looked up to many people throughout his varied career.
However, one man that had an immense influence on him was Paul Darbyshire. He was Munster's head of strength and conditioning and sadly passed from Motor Neuron Disease in June 2011.
Donncha said: 'He had an incredible way with our group, it was the first time I saw someone who didn't treat us all the same. He had carrots for some guys, sticks for others.' He added that Paul's legacy helped shape him and the team 'as men'.
The rugby legend joined Ryan as his new children's book, Disaster Dad: Chicken Chaos, is available in hardback now, with paperback release on May 29. This autumn, a sequel to the story, called Disaster Dad: Fun Day Fiasco, is due to be released.
Donncha was the eighth guest on Ryan's new podcast, which was launched after his shock exit from RTÉ in 2023. Other guests that have already featured include Taoiseach Micheál Martin, author Harlan Coben, Eamon Dunphy and entrepreneur Aimee Connolly.