Yes, we’re Irish but we don’t drink. Get over it!
The teetotal two reveal why they are going strong as they hit 40 . . .
IT’S quite fitting that Peter Stringer and Donncha O’Callaghan should end up together at Worcester in the twilight years of their careers. The veteran pair, both teetotallers, were brothers in arms for many a year at the ‘sober’ table during team nights out, be it with Munster or Ireland.
Paul O’Connell recalled a tale in his book, The Battle, when the Ireland squad, under then head coach Eddie O’Sullivan, embarked on a team-bonding session at a Chinese restaurant in Dublin before the 2006 Six Nations.
As usual, Stringer and O’Callaghan were keeping out of harm’s way. Led by Irish legend O’Connell, the night soon descended into drunken anarchy. When a bunch of glasses were knocked over, the staff rushed in to investigate. The rest of the Irish squad duly pointed the finger of blame at the sober stalwarts sitting away from the action: ‘It was the nerds!’
It was a familiar scene. The pair, who are now plying their trade with Worcester in the Aviva Premiership, both made their professional debuts for Munster in 1998. They earned 192 Ireland caps between them. Almost 20 years on and they are still operating at the top level. Their aversion to alcohol has played a part in their longevity, but that is just one small element of their obsessive training regimes.
They are regarded as two of the most dedicated trainers in the game and their professional careers, which have spanned two decades, are a testament to that.
Scrum-half Stringer turned 40 earlier this month, while second rower O’Callaghan will celebrate his 39th birthday next March.
‘It’s one element of numerous bits that make everything work,’ says Stringer on staying away from the drink.
O’Callaghan interjects: ‘100 per cent, there’s something to it, but it’s one that actually frustrates me. People think that’s the silver bullet. Don’t drink. They don’t see what goes on. They don’t see the preparation that goes into it.’
‘It drives me nuts though … the perception about Irish people. You come over (to England) and you say you don’t drink and they’re looking at ya like you’ve two heads. Even small things, like when (Barack) Obama went to Ireland, the first photos were of him with a pint and you’re thinking, “Give us a break, like”.
‘I think we (as a country) talk ourselves down too much.’
The Cork natives were key players in the Munster side that claimed Heineken Cup titles in 2006 and 2008.
A year later, they were on the pitch when Ireland clinched their first Grand Slam in 61 years with a 17-15 victory over Wales at a heaving Millennium Stadium.
Munster was shaken to its core last season with the sudden passing of head coach and former captain Anthony Foley. He was a leader, team-mate and friend to Stringer and O’Callaghan.
A day after Foley’s funeral, Munster took on Glasgow in a Champions Cup clash at Thomond Park. It was an emotional occasion as Munster swept the visitors aside 38-17 — an unforgettable day. Fittingly, Stringer and O’Callaghan were sitting together in the stands.
‘You just couldn’t have been prouder with how those lads conducted themselves,’ says O’Callaghan. ‘You wanted with all your heart to play in that match.’
‘All the guys had different relationships with Axel. He was a coach for some. He was always my captain. He was a brother to others. He was f****** Superman. He got a group of us to go beyond ourselves so many times.’
Stringer adds: ‘ It’s brought everyone even closer who was part of that era. It’s merged us even closer to the current team.’
Fast forward to the present day and Worcester’s clash with London Irish at Sixways is their primary focus. The Warriors can put 10 points of daylight between themselves and the basementdwelling Exiles with a victory.
But the pair have never forgotten where they came from. ‘Regardless of where we’ll end up in the future or what we’ll be doing, we’re Munster men . . . that’s the way it is,’ Stringer says.