The Bull

kerry1960

A good article from Eddy O Sullivan.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/six-nations/comment-analysis/slam-heroics-just-reward-for-the-gentle-giant-hayes-1682441.html

The Telegraph .

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/mikemcgurn/blog/2009/03/20/john_hayes_country_ways_and_why_brian_odriscoll_can_lead_ireland_to_the_grand_slam

nacho libre

Is this about a future storm or hot airmass coming over us:pac:

Great article. Thanks for the link kerry1960. I would love to see Hayes make the Lions squad. It just shows his longevity as a player is due in no small part to his clean- living lifestyle. Well, staying injury free is a factor too. I hope he gets to a 100 caps.

The guy really is just an absolute gent and credit to his country.
His privicy and shyness endeares him even more to us,an unsung hero.
The most underrated player in the 6 nations and the cornerstone to both Ireland and Munsters success.

ALH-06

Two excellent articles. The second one (written before the Wales game) was amazingly clairvoyant!

Everyone seems to have such enormous respect for the Bull. Great man. Also, the insight into BOD's captaincy was really interesting. Really does lead from the front, by meticulous example. Hero.

chupacabra

Makes me think of Os du Randt. Amazing work rate, under-rated for years and well known as an absolute gentleman. Also loved his farm and was very humble in his accolades. The Bull and The Ox. NH and SH. Will we ever see the like of them again?

anonymous_joe

Good articles.

Eddie O'Sullivan really strikes me as someone who'd be unreally as a coach but for that inability towards the end to delegate.

I'd be surprised if he doesn't end up back in Munster or coaching in England or France after the US.

As for Hayes, well, he's our most capped player. End of. Don't end up there by being shít. He's a likeable bloke, who might not be the most natural in that position, but he's certainly made it his own, and been an important part of Irish sides for an age now.

walshb

One of the reason Ireland's line outs have been so good, Hayes' lifting!

He is a legend and one of Ireland's greatest ever. All the hard donkey work
is done by Hayes.

Aidric

Hayes is a vital cog in the Munster & Ireland sides, it's great to see him get the recognition he deserves.

Fishtits

Absolute colossus in Irish rugby.

But. The guy, true to type, wants to be left alone with his family.

Surely our greatest tribute would be to grant him his wish and leave him alone? We can honour him in the future, but right now leave him alone.

Similar to Os Du Rant, a quiet man who just wants to recede into the background when his time is done.

His replacement will have big shoes to fill.

Bryan Habana

He's a fantastic player and I have alot of repect for him. He'll never get the plaudits that the big profile backs get but his commitment and workrate are second to none. He'll be a very hard player to replace when he decides to call it a day. The tears of pride he showed when Ireland played England in Croke park two years are also worth mentioning. Let's hope he gets the recognition he deserves when the Lions squad is decided.

Macsimus

Cheers for the links Kerry -

The Bull has been Ireland's most underrated (outside of Ireland) player for years - This probably wont have bothered him much though as it allows him the anonymity he craves.

In our current state of affairs in Ireland, the bull's quiet determination, work ethic and honesty should be an example to us all

partyguinness

What a legend..he is my favourite player...he just gets on with . The type of guy would gladly go into battle with and want on your side.

An unnamed member of the Munster panel told me that is very grumpy and absolutely hates being called "The Bull"....:)

There will be a huge void (in every sense of the word) when he retires...LEGEND..lets retire his jersy with him...

thomond2006

Bull for President!!!!

I'll never forget that banner at TP:
" G'WAN BULL TIS YOUR FIELD". A more true pun was never spoken.

An absolute legend and an inspiration to all rugby fans, without a doubt.

Macsimus

thomond2006 wrote: »

Bull for President!!!!

I'll never forget that banner at TP:
" G'WAN BULL TIS YOUR FIELD". A more true pun was never spoken.

An absolute legend and an inspiration to all rugby fans, without a doubt.

Class, they should have stuck a 'like' at the end of it though, like :pac:

old boy

it goes to show, he even went down to n.z. to learn, it sure paid off.

kerry1960

hehe , off topic here but still worth a chuckle .

http://jokes.maxabout.com/jid0020637/the_football_fan.aspx

Micky Dolenz

It was a real testament to the man, when he was replaced in last nights game, every supporter of Irish rugby rose to there feet to give him a standing ovation. What a star.

how long can he continue for?...Not long enough no doubt.

thomond2006

Micky Dolenz wrote: »

It was a real testament to the man, when he was replaced in last nights game, every supporter of Irish rugby rose to there feet to give him a standing ovation. What a star.

how long can he continue for?...Not long enough no doubt.

+1, to be there to stand and applaud the man was a special moment.

ch2008

thomond2006 wrote: »

Bull for President!!!!

I'll never forget that banner at TP:
" G'WAN BULL TIS YOUR FIELD". A more true pun was never spoken.

An absolute legend and an inspiration to all rugby fans, without a doubt.

Not a pun but a line from "The Field" with Richard Harris as the "Bull" McCabe.