The Leo Cullen tribute thread

former legend · 28-05-2014 2:52pm #1

The end of a great career is, naturally enough, being somewhat overshadowed by the departure of Brian O'Driscoll, but I think a nod to Leo Cullen is well in order.

Not the flashiest or most athletic of players but he was one hell of a player and a fantastic leader for Leinster and is credited with helping to shape the fancy dans of Leinster into one of the most well-drilled and hardest teams in Europe.

He's the only man to captain three Heineken Cup-winning teams and his list of honours doesn't end there:

Heineken Cup winner 2009, 2011, 2012, runner-up 2007
Amlin Challenge Cup winner 2013
Celtic League winner 2002, 2008, 2013, runner-up 2010, 2011, 2012
Premiership winner 2007, runner-up 2006
Anglo-Welsh Cup winner 2007

A phenomenal haul of medals, it's a shame his international career overlapped with a lot of other very good second-rows, 32 caps isn't a fair reflection of his ability. He did himself no favours on that front by going off to Leicester for two seasons when in his prime, but his time at Tigers helped drive Leinster on to bigger things (or so the story goes anyway) so a good decision overall.

Here's hoping he brings as much success to the club as forwards coach as he did as a player, a leader and a genuine legend of Irish rugby.

jennings-cullen_leicester.jpg?w=335&h=447

ssaye2 · 28-05-2014 3:03pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kg5EwCh4jbU

Mahatma Geansai · 28-05-2014 3:21pm

He's had a phenomenal amount of success at club level and has been a great leader in some brilliant teams.

prospect · 28-05-2014 3:28pm

I always liked Leo and it is a pity his final games are being overshadowed by BOD.

Hopefully he can produce the goods as a coach.

Thanks Leo.

Buer · 28-05-2014 3:32pm

prospect wrote: »

I always liked Leo and it is a pity his final games are being overshadowed by BOD.

I think that's precisely how he'd like it.

Wonderful servant and could well be a part of the most underrated players of the professional era group.

Tomblyboo · 28-05-2014 3:33pm

It's amazing to think he only got 30 odd caps for Ireland. Fair dues to him when he wasn't getting the nod, he went to Leicester and did well, came back to Leinster, and did even better. That can't have been too easy. A canny lineout operator, physical around the park, and a great captain and leader. Leinster were lucky to have him. They had other players that never left, got more caps for Ireland, but would not be as well thought of or respected as Cullen.

Neil3030 · 28-05-2014 4:26pm

Tomblyboo wrote: »

It's amazing to think he only got 30 odd caps for Ireland. Fair dues to him when he wasn't getting the nod, he went to Leicester and did well, came back to Leinster, and did even better. That can't have been too easy. A canny lineout operator, physical around the park, and a great captain and leader. Leinster were lucky to have him. They had other players that never left, got more caps for Ireland, but would not be as well thought of or respected as Cullen.

And how many of those were token bench clearances around the 75 minute mark.

Best of luck to the man, terrific leader and trench combatant.

28-05-2014 5:08pm

Wasnt it Necewa who said Leo was one of the most inspirational players he's ever met, or something to that effect. Wish I could find that clip now.

thirteen. · 28-05-2014 6:32pm

Its this kind of stuff that I love him for, he gets away with 99 times out of 100 creating space.

bazalicous · 28-05-2014 7:03pm

As a Wicklow man i'm proud to be from the same county as Leo the legend.

durkadurka · 28-05-2014 7:10pm

If you look at the photos of him lifting the cups you can see he always shared the glory with others and I think on a couple of occasions left it to others to lift the cup.

Compare and contrast to the John Terrys of this world etc.

bilston · 28-05-2014 7:23pm

thirteen. wrote: »

Its this kind of stuff that I love him for, he gets away with 99 times out of 100 creating space.

Funny, it's that kind of stuff that I dislike him for.

But then I'm not a Leinster fan.

Superbus · 28-05-2014 7:39pm

bilston wrote: »

Funny, it's that kind of stuff that I dislike him for.

But then I'm not a Leinster fan.

Kind of the point I suppose!

bilston · 28-05-2014 7:48pm

Superbus wrote: »

Kind of the point I suppose!

Yep, it was meant as a compliment!

Morf · 29-05-2014 1:52am

bilston wrote: »

Funny, it's that kind of stuff that I dislike him for.

But then I'm not a Leinster fan.

He was our Nathan Hines before we had a Nathan Hines!

4 words. Dark arts corporate knowledge.

I see Mr Thornley shaping an article around those.

Midnight64 · 29-05-2014 8:00am

As a Tigers and Leinster fan I have huge respect for the man and his abilities. He has been a great leader and player. I am sure he will excel at coaching.

29-05-2014 8:31am

Easily the most handsome rugby player we've ever had at Leinster too.

Some man.

enda1 · 29-05-2014 11:48am

Reminds me of Kilkenny hurling's John Power from back in the day. An unassuming genius.

Dave_The_Sheep · 29-05-2014 1:22pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Easily the most handsome rugby player we've ever had at Leinster too.

The voice that comes out of his mouth just doesn't match the face at all, does it?

Hopefully we won't miss him too much on the pitch given his coaching role. There aren't many out there with more knowledge of the subtle bit of lineout/forward play, with any luck it'll keep rubbing off on our lot.

wowy · 29-05-2014 4:58pm

Didn't see this thread; posted this in the Leinster thread.

http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/news/12034.php#.U4dhhfldXD4

Tribute to Leo.

1:27; I'd forgotten about how he managed to somehow take that pass.

fakedel · 29-05-2014 5:06pm

I dunno what all the fuss was about. He was a bit of a donkey.

He must be some inspirational leader though, as his main contributions on the pitch in his last few seasons consisted of pulling and dragging off the ball, doling out sly digs and flopping into rucks from an offside position.

BazPM · 29-05-2014 5:10pm

durkadurka wrote: »

If you look at the photos of him lifting the cups you can see he always shared the glory with others and I think on a couple of occasions left it to others to lift the cup.

Compare and contrast to the John Terrys of this world etc.

It always grated me that Paul O'Connell didn't jointly lift the six nations trophy with BOD this year. Would've been a classy touch.

Larbre34 · 30-05-2014 10:09am

fakedel wrote: »

I dunno what all the fuss was about. He was a bit of a donkey.

He must be some inspirational leader though, as his main contributions on the pitch in his last few seasons consisted of pulling and dragging off the ball, doling out sly digs and flopping into rucks from an offside position.

Did you set up an account just to do that? Well done you.

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