Latest news with #O'Gara
Irish Independent
5 hours ago
- Health
- Irish Independent
Real Health: The addiction episode with Professor Colin O'Gara
Professor Colin O'Gara, Head of Addiction at St. John of God's Hospital and Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at UCD, joins me on the Real Health podcast. Early in the conversation, I asked the professor of Psychiatry to define addiction. He explained, 'The World Health Organization defines it as a persistence with a behaviour be it a process or ingestion of a substance in the face of adverse consequences.' I wanted to find out from the addiction specialist, when do people end up coming in to seek treatment. Professor O'Gara says, 'The person could feel that there's something up. In a lot of cases, addiction is characterized by a lack of insight or otherwise known as denial. It is usually the people around the individual that'll be raising the alarm. People come to me in a variety of ways. Often, it's because they've been encouraged to go and they'll go because somebody wants them to go.' You can listen to the full episode here or wherever you get your podcasts.
Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Dan Biggar and Ronan O'Gara agree on next move after Sky Sports success
Dan Biggar and Ronan O'Gara revealed they would "love" to collaborate on a fresh programme together following their surprise hit partnership that has captivated British and Irish Lions supporters throughout this summer's Australian tour. Whilst Andy Farrell's squad prepares for this weekend's final Test aiming to clinch an historic 3-0 series victory, the former Wales fly-half and Ireland icon have become a triumph in their own right after joining forces for Sky Sports commentary duties during the tour. Their natural on-screen rapport and expert analysis has won over audiences, especially when their discussions have escalated into live disagreements, something that has occurred multiple times. During the tour's early stages, they clashed over whether Farrell's son Owen deserved his place in the Lions squad, creating compelling television with Biggar opposing the selection whilst O'Gara defended it, reports Wales Online. Former England back Andy Goode even dubbed them "an old married couple" following one particular spat during commentary for the tourists' victory against the Brumbies earlier this month. With a combined 240 caps for Ireland and Wales between them, O'Gara and Biggar possess a treasure trove of experience and knowledge to tap into. The former - who currently serves as head coach of La Rochelle - brings his tactical expertise from a coaching perspective, whilst the latter delivers a player's viewpoint having recently retired at the season's end. This partnership has proven remarkably successful and has left supporters clamouring for more. It now seems they may get their wish, as the duo have disclosed plans to collaborate again in the coming months. Taking inspiration from Monday Night Football's format, Biggar and O'Gara are eager to delve deep into the intricate tactical elements of today's game, delivering "something for the real rugby nerds". Whilst nothing has been finalised yet, the former Ospreys, Northampton Saints and Toulon stalwart Biggar confirmed he is "sure we'll do some bits and pieces" after the current tour concludes in Sydney this weekend. Speaking to The i, the 35 year old explained: "We probably don't get enough time in this capacity to expand on a point. "We'd love to be able to do something for the real rugby nerds. Why is he kicking here? Or, if they play this way, if they play that way, what does it mean for the defence, for the attack, etc? "We've looked at Monday Night Football as a great example – it gives you a big, long build-up to talk and review the games on the weekend," the Welshman added, acknowledging the success of his partnership with O'Gara. "We've realised that we have struck something up quite nicely on tour in the last four or five weeks. I'm sure we'll do some bits and pieces, going forward. And the price has gone up after the last few weeks." On why their unlikely double act has proved to be such a standout success, Biggar offered: "A lot of other channels just go player, player, player. And they may have different opinions, but it's all coming from a player's point of view." O'Gara added: "Why it works – and it's an immense credit to Dan – is even at this stage of his burgeoning commentary career, he puts a big emphasis on preparation. I've taken it as bonus territory, where my bread-and-butter and the only thing I'm interested in is coaching. "But I love talking rugby and I looked upon this as an opportunity to chat with Dan off camera, chat with all the NRL coaches you can get your hands on, chat with people associated with the Lions, chat with good rugby people so you grow your rugby knowledge."
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Irish rugby legend Ronan O'Gara gets POOED ON live on Sky Sports after Lions' epic comeback win over Australia
RONAN O'GARA was given an unwelcome gift by a bird while LIVE on air. Irish rugby legend O'Gara was working as a pundit for Sky Sports during the Advertisement 5 Ronan O'Gara was pooed on by a viewer flying by 5 Will Greenwood pointed out the new coat decoration on his arm 5 The poo landed on his left arm 5 Fans and the rest of the panel had a laugh at the 48-year-old's expense 5 O'Gara had a stunned reaction as he tried to find the white spot However, a winged viewer flying by decided that the 48-year-old's coat needed some extra decoration. And while he stood alongside colleagues discussing Hugo Keenan's last-gasp winning try, Will Greenwood spotted that O'Gara had been POOED on. He said: "Oh a bird has just pooed on Ronan." The group then shared a laugh at O'Gara's expense as he frantically tried to find where Greenwood had pointed it out. Advertisement READ MORE IN RUGBY A voice can then be heard saying: "That's lucky for some but not for Ronan." Fans behind the panel also poked fun at O'Gara for the unfortunate incident. Greenwood then adds: "La Rochelle are going to win the European Cup." O'Gara eventually laughs off the incident, though we expect his coat to receive some TLC to remove the poo. Advertisement Most read in Rugby Union Breaking BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK And while the unusual present might not be seen as too lucky by O'Gara, the Lions certainly did find some luck in their match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. They moved 2-0 over Australia in the series, but only after coming back from 26-17 down in the 53rd minute. Australia 26 British and Irish Lions 29- Historic Test series whitewash on the cards as Lions complete epic comeback Keenan's late winner has now set the scene for a potential clean sweep when the sides clash again at the weekend. Advertisement
Irish Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Ronan O'Gara given unwelcome gift from seagull moments after Lions win
Ronan O'Gara suffered an embarrassing incident live on TV this morning as a seagull gave him an unwanted gift while working on Sky Sports. O'Gara was working as a pundit on this morning's clash between the British and Irish Lions and Australia, and was analysing the Lions' win thanks to a last-gasp Hugo Keenan try. As the panel discussed the victory, a bird did his business on O'Gara in an unfortunate incident that was captured live by Sky Sports' cameras for the whole world to see. "Oh a bird has just pooed on Ronan," said Will Greenwood before a voice can be heard interjecting "That's lucky for some but not for Ronan." Greenwood then proclaims "La Rochelle are going to win the European Cup" as O'Gara, to his credit, laughs off the incident and has some craic with the fans close by in attendance. While the seagull's doing could well turn out to be good or bad luck, the Lions certainly rode their luck today as they battled back to beat Australia and move 2-0 in the series, setting the scene for a potential clean sweep next weekend. And in Joe Schmidt's opinion, luck was on the side of the Lions as a clearout from Jac Morgan in the lead-up to Keenan's try was ruled legal much to the annoyance of the Wallabies boss. Just watch the footage,' said Schmidt, who insisted the incident taking place in the final minute influenced the verdict. 'You just have to read law 9.20 and you just have to listen to the description from the referee and then watch the footage when two players are described as arriving at the same time. 'You cannot hit someone above the levels of the shoulders and there's no bind with the left arm, his hand is on the ground. That's what we have seen. 'We have watched a number of replays from different angles so it is what it is. We just have to accept it. 'Players make errors. Match officials make errors. Our perspective is we felt it was a decision that doesn't really live up to the big player safety push that they are talking about.
Extra.ie
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Extra.ie
TV View: Ronan O'Gara and rest of Sky Sports pundits left underwhelmed by 'flat' Lions Test
Rugby has really missed Sky Sports. Yes, the British broadcasting giants can go over the top. Some of their coverage verges on the hysterical at times. But, boy, can they get viewers excited and engaged ahead of a big match. Yesterday's first Lions Test was no different. From the moment Wolfmother's adrenaline-pumping anthem 'Joker and the Thief' came pumping out during the opening credits, the stall was set out. Warren Gatland. Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan Warren Gatland lead a stellar cast of pundits pitchside at a heaving Suncorp Stadium. 'The greatest rugby supporters in the world are in full voice,' said Sky Sports presenter Alex Payne as he passed the torch over to Miles Harrison, Dan Biggar and Ronan O'Gara in the commentary box. Anyone who has ever been to a Top14 or ProD2 game in France would challenge that viewpoint. Anyway, we digress. Ronan O'Gara. Pic: Sky Sports There's something comforting about having Harrison on comms. The voice of so many great Lions moments as well as many heady Heineken Cup days, he was in fine form yesterday. Biggar and O'Gara, meanwhile, have proven an inspired choice on co-commentary duties. The former Test fly-halves mixing insightful analysis with plenty of good humour. Dan Biggar. Pic: Sky Sports Both were full of praise for Finn Russell during that dominant first quarter. Game recognises game. As for some of Andy Farrell's selection calls, Biggar backed the Lions boss. Finn Russell. Pic: Patrick Hamilton/AFP via Getty Images 'Beirne has big games in big games,' said the former Wales out-half after the Munster man snagged his second turnover penalty in the space of 18 minutes. ROG was living every second of this Test match. 'No!' was O'Gara blunt assessment when he saw Jake Gordon shaping to dink a kick behind this suffocating Lions blitz defence. Hugo Keenan duly fielded the ensuing chip with ease. Australia's Nick Frost and Tadhg Beirne of the Lions compete for a lineout. Pic: INPHO/James Crombie But it soon became clear that this was not going to be a Test epic and you could hear O'Gara and Biggar beginning to wane. 'Australia just can't get any momentum,' was the view of Sam Warburton back in the Sky studio. Gatland didn't see much hope for the hosts either during the half-time analysis. 'I'd be pretty happy. The dominance is starting to show in terms of gainline, carries. Australia are hanging in there. They need to score early in the second half. Otherwise this could be a bit of a blowout.' Dan Sheehan scores a try. Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan Cue Dan Sheehan crossing after about 90 seconds. Game over. The energy seemed to drain out of Biggar and O'Gara after that. It was becoming obvious that this first game – and perhaps the entire Test series – is going to be one-way traffic. Then Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii seemingly barged his way through Ben Earl and Bundee Aki, two of the second-half cavalry, to give the ailing Aussies a glimmer of hope on the hour mark. No try in the end. It was that kind of night for the hosts. 'Tadhg Beirne is made of concrete,' O'Gara noted as the Wallabies continued to run into a red wall of Lions defenders. In the end, the hosts managed a few consolation scores, but this never really felt like a real contest. 'It just feels a bit flat doesn't it,' Biggar observed in the dying minutes of this encounter. Few would argue with the Welshman's assessment. Even Sky Sports were struggling to hype up what was essentially a non event.
