Hagler could keep his date if the Irish deliver a knock-out

FOOTBALLER John Terry’s talk to the England squad on leadership provided a timely reminder that nobody has matched the standard set for motivational speakers by Ireland shortly before their departure for the World Cup in Australia 16 years ago.

They treated their players to a rare double from an Englishman whose exploration extended to running seven marathons in seven continents in seven days and an American boxer renowned for some of the classic fights of the 20th century.

Marvin Hagler followed Sir Ranulf Fiennes to Dublin at the behest of an Irish team then coached by Eddie O’Sullivan and managed by Brian O’Brien. The warrior spirit of the players made such an impression on the former world middleweight champion that he promised to pay his own way to the final in Sydney a few weeks later, if Ireland got that far.

“Gee, those rugby players have some courage,’’ Hagler said during a chance meeting at Dublin airport before he headed back to Italy. “In the boxing ring you know the punches are coming from one man and you plan accordingly.

“On the rugby field they could be coming at you from so many opponents at the same time you need eyes in the back of your head.’’

Ireland have never gone further than the last eight at any World Cup. Should they break that chronic habit in Japan later this year, maybe someone might advise The Marvellous One to keep the first weekend of November clear for a weekend in Yokohama, just in case.