Academy Watch – Dave O’Callaghan

In his final year of the Academy, 21 year old Dave O’Callaghan recently picked up his first competitive cap and yesterday was named in Munster’s Heineken Cup squad submitted to the ERC.

Name: Dave O’Callaghan
DOB: 12th January 1990
From: Youghal, Co.Cork
Height: 6’ 5”
Weight: 100kg
Position: Backrow/Secondrow
Education: UCC, Commerce 3rd year

First competitive cap:
“The call up came as a big surprise especially for such opposition like the Ospreys and also because of the fact that they were on top of the table. I was kind of hoping all along that I’d get an opportunity in the first block of games so it was great when I actually got the chance.

I was extremely excited and up for it. I was nervous coming up to the game but Anthony Foley just advised me to treat it like another game and that’s what I did and I really enjoyed it then, despite the loss.

It was definitely a lot faster, but I had been training with the lads all along and got a taste of it in preseason as well so I knew it was going to be at that pace and tougher.”

Training:
“It’s full on now, I’m training fulltime with the seniors at the moment and I hope that continues. It’s every day and a big commitment so I miss a few lectures along the way but it’s where I want to be and I’m enjoying it.”

Academy players progressing:
“Seeing lads advance makes you think it’s just around the corner for a lot of us so if we work hard and keep plugging away at training it’s a major positive to think it can happen.”

Breaking into the squad:
“At training you can’t hold anything back. You’ve to give the senior players as much as they give you and always push them. Guys want to keep their positions but you’ve to let them know you’re hot on their heels.”

Guidance:
“Billy Holland’s very good, he understands it all because he’s been through the Academy system as well, so he’d give you a few tips or a helping hand.”

Looking ahead:
“I just want to get any opportunities to play at senior level and take them when they do come!”

Getting to know Dave O’Callaghan….

Favourite Food: Thai Curry
Favourite TV Programme: Sopranos
Favourite Film: Godfather
Favourite Actor/Actress: Tim Robbins
Marooned on a desert island what could you not be without: iPhone
Favourite sport other than rugby: Soccer
The sport you least like: Cricket
Person you would most like to meet: Will Ferrell
Sportsperson you admire most: Fernando Torres
Hobbies: Astro soccer, fishing
Where and when did you first play rugby: Youghal U8s
Biggest influence on career: Parents
Best career advice you were given: Pressure is for tyres
What you like most/least about being a rugby player: Eating loads/Not much time for anything else
Other sports that you played: Gaelic football, soccer
Best rugby memory: First competitive Munster start
Sporting event you would most like to attend: Superbowl
If you weren’t a rugby player what would you be: Business man
Plans for life after rugby: Currently in 3rd year of Commerce degree so something to do with economics
Advice you would give to aspiring rugby player: You are only as good as your last game
Three people you would invite to dinner and why: Tim Vine – Comedian for laughs; Una from the Saturdays; Christy Moore for Craic agus Ceol