2014 SAW THE retirement of one of Ireland’s great ever sportspeople in Brian O’Driscoll. His final year couldn’t have gone much better from a silverware point of view, with 6 Nations and Pro12 medals being added to the centre’s sizeable haul of accolades.
To mark the end of the year, we put together the best pictures from Brian O’Driscoll’s memorable 2014.
Joe Schmidt barks orders at O’Driscoll and the rest of the Irish backline
Source: James Crombie/INPHO
Brian O’Driscoll leaves the field after his last international home game against Italy
Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO
Moments earlier he had thrown this delicious offload before being substituted in an emotional moment
Source: Colm O’Neill/INPHO
Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO
O’Driscoll after breaking the record for most international caps after the Italy game
O’Driscoll made a trademark burst in the build-up to Ireland’s second try in the 6 Nations decider against France
Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO
Two of Ireland’s greatest warriors celebrate the winning of the 6 Nations in Paris
Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO
O’Driscoll couldn’t contain himself at the final whistle
Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO
His last act in the green jersey
Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO
Champagne everywhere in the changing room afterwards
A no doubt hungover O’Driscoll with the 6 Nations trophy
Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO
BOD was even happy to get in a few selfies
Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO
The lads looked sharp in grey
Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO
He also paid a visit to Temple Street Children’s Hospital with one last piece of silverware
Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO
O’Driscoll was also given the Freedom of the City of Dublin
Source: James Crombie/INPHO
He got over for a try in his final derby against Munster
Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO
His last ever Heineken Cup game ended in defeat at the quarter-final stage against Toulon
Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO
His travelling fans were as gutted as he was
Source: James Crombie/INPHO
That game also served as a European ‘loser leaves town’ match between O’Driscoll and Jonny Wilkinson
Source: James Crombie/INPHO
His final year gave him plenty of opportunities to soldier alongside long-time centre partner Gordon D’Arcy
Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO
A collectors item for any BOD fan
Source: James Crombie/INPHO
The expectations were high for the Pro12 final against Glasgow at the RDS, which was his last game as a professional
Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO
But an early injury forced him off a rugby pitch for the last time
Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO
However, he still got to go out as a winner once again
Source: James Crombie/INPHO
Now O’Driscoll has other things to concentrate on, like his wife Amy Huberman and their two children, Sadie and Billy
Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO
He’s also turned into a radio shock-jock on Newstalk
Source: Steve Langan/INPHO
Brought out an autobiography
Source: Steve Langan/INPHO
And joined the dark forces of BT’s banter brigade
Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO
Not bad for a centre that used to look like a prop
Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO
BOD, Paul McGrath, Donal Walsh and 13 GAA stars in Gizzy Lyng’s brilliant hurling videoConnacht reward homegrown ‘heroes’ with two-year contracts
