Weir reflects on simple pleasures of amateur days
THE most gripping rugby documentary ever made is Living With Lions. The no-holds-barred account of the victorious 1997 Lions tour of South Africa had many memorable moments and featured huge personalities. Doddie Weir was very much a cult hero on that crusade to Bok country and his dignified response when learning his tour was over after suffering injury during a midweek match was a measure of the man. The rugby world was thrown into shock in June of 2017 when Weir announced he had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease. Weir is now battling against the effects of his debilitating condition. The 46-year-old has established the ‘My Name’5 Doddie Foundation’ to aid research into MND and to provide support for fellow sufferers. A positive mindset is crucial and Weir exudes positivity from every pore. He was decked out in his trademark tartan suit when he sat down to chat to the assembled media yesterday. When asked about the future, he had a very simple message. ‘Enjoy the day for what it is, and worry about tomorrow when it comes,’ he said. ‘If it doesn’t come, you’ve had a good last night. He will catch up with plenty of old acquaintances in Dublin at the beginning of next month. On the Friday night before Joe Schmidt’s side begin their Six Nations defence at Lansdowne Road, the annual Ireland v England legends game will take place at the RDS. The game will raise valuable funds for Weir’s foundation, but will also be a chance to look back on rugby’s amateur days. ‘In my time we had the best time because we had good fun, no social media, no cameras, so our entertainment was our own, and kept with ourselves, which is quite important, and what a good time we had.’