The announcement of Brian O' Driscoll as IRB player of the year underlined the importance of style over substance. O' Driscoll in truth wasn't even Ireland's best player in the six nations, never mind player of the tournament. That award was won by a country mile by the excellent Gordon Darcy. It sadly raises the issue of profile in modern day sport. The higher the profile the better the chance of recognition, when the gongs are being handed out. In fairness to Brian, he looked every bit as surprised as the rest of the rugby fraternity. Awards are at the best of times, just an excuse for marketing the cream within your crop. Like David Beckham before him, O' Driscoll is incredibly media friendly,a marketing agency's dream. In modern day sport a status is difficult to aquire, and even more difficult to lose.
After bursting on the scene with his try fest in the Paris, Brian's legend gathered apace for the next couple of years. Like Becks who stole the lime light at Old Trafford, the golden boy of Irish Rugby could do no wrong. One try scoring pass or a great tackle a game was by now enough, to elevate the 'Bod' to the top of the page. A flick pass here and a feint there, and commentators were drolling into their Microphones. Objectivity flew out the window, as the by now Teflon coated centre; could do no wrong. Except of course if you recall his no show in Cardiff as Golden boots Gavin Henson and the fiery dragons of Wales, fed our super hero a large cache of Kryptonite. Brian's no show was blamed on the lack of quality service, a suitable refuge for all sporting kop- outs. The endorsements kept rolling in as well as the scarcely deserved plaudits. Rugby purists were noting that teams by now had little difficulty, snuffing out the life of Brian.
Another no show against Munster in the all Irish Heineken Cup semi-final,confirmed that our Messiah was human after all. The electric pace and lightning change of body shape, don't look quite so threatening now. The edge appears to have gone off O'Driscoll's game. The fire in the belly, that light the touch paper to the legend; is flickering out. Our hero already appears to be eyeing the Tunnel. Luckily Eddie O' Sullivan wont be kicking any boots in his direction; aka Alex Ferguson. The only Hair dryer treatment the 'Bod' will be receiving will be on his own wavy locks. O'Driscoll's place in the pantheon of Irish rugby is already assured. Ireland is the home of myth and Legend, the myth that Brian O' Driscoll is a true great of the oval ball game is already assured.
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