O’Driscoll Set To Retain ODM Financial Munster Senior Cup

1st November 2013 By Munster Rugby

We catch up with Cork Constitution hooker Andrew O’Driscoll who looks towards retaining his side’s ODM Financial Munster Senior Cup and All Ireland Bateman Cup titles.

Name: Andrew O’Driscoll
Position: Hooker
Club: Cork Constitution F.C.
Age: 25
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 100kg
Place of Birth: Bandon
Profession: Architectural Technologist
Education: St. Brogan’s College, Bandon/Presentation Brothers College, Cork
3rd Level Education: Cork Institute of Technology
Honours: Munster Youths, Irish Youths, Munster U19’s, Irish U19’s, Munster U20’s
Club Honours: ODM Financial Munster Senior Cup and Bateman Cup – Season 2012/2013

Born in Bandon, Co. Cork, Andrew O’Driscoll was introduced to rugby by his late father and former Munster Rugby President, Niall O'Driscoll.

He began his playing career at the local club Bandon RFC and has many fond memories of his early days. "Andrew

“Dan Murphy and Ricky O’Sullivan were the underage coaches that I had all the way up at Bandon. “We were a great side” O’Driscoll recalls. From U12’s up we won absolutely every trophy that could be won and it was from that era that I developed my love for the game.”

O’Driscoll went on to play schools rugby with Presentation Brothers College, Cork – in 2006 where his side were narrowly beaten in the Munster Schools Senior Cup final by St. Munchin’s College.

His rugby career continued at Dolphin RFC for seven seasons and he is currently in his second season with Cork Constitution FC, where he looks forward to defending his ODM Financial Munster Senior Cup and All Ireland Bateman Cup titles.

“The season has been brilliant for us so far. There is a great new set-up at the club with lots of changes and new faces in terms of both management and players, he says. “We lost about eleven players from last season but we’ve recruited equally talented players, giving us strength throughout the squad.”

“This year Tom Mulcahy has taken over the reins as Head Coach, with former Munster second row Mick O’Driscoll coaching the forwards and Terry Dillon in charge of the backs.

“I guess techniques are a bit different from last year, especially with Micko on board. He puts a professional outlook on drills from his many years with Munster which is giving our pack great confidence.”

Cork Constitution recently booked a place in the ODM Financial Munster Senior Cup semi final against UCC on Saturday, 16th November and O’Driscoll says his side are eager to defend their title.

“It’s one of the oldest competitions in the country and I’m delighted it’s still going strong. It’s a trophy that all the Munster senior clubs want to win,” he stresses.

Commenting on the semi final O’Driscoll said his side has huge respect for their opposition and is confident they will be well prepared for the fixture.

“Every UCC team is similar year in year out. They throw the ball around a lot and are a very dangerous side, he said. I've worked under their coaches Peter Scott and Dave O’Mahony when I was with Dolphin for the first few years so I know they will be a well drilled side and very well organised.”

Speaking about the difficulties in balancing work and club rugby commitments O’Driscoll said “It can get very challenging at times. Sometimes you can’t get out of work early enough to make training and if you are going to the gym you might have to go back to work afterwards to meet deadlines. They’re very good up in Con for supporting their players and very understanding if you have other demands not just with fellas who work but also with guys doing exams. I get a lot of support from the office for which I am very grateful, but at the end of the day work has to come first….unless you’re a professional rugby player.”

Following his playing career O’Driscoll says he hopes to continue with his involvement in rugby. “I’d be really interested in going into coaching. At the moment I do a good bit of coaching in Bandon. I’ve been involved with the underage teams for the last few seasons and this year I did a bit of forwards coaching with the Bandon seniors.”

“I really enjoy it and hope to continue in my spare time when my playing days finish.”