Queen Elizabeth II had a number of interactions with Irish sporting royalty. She swung a hurl at Croke Park in 2011 and she was part of a famous photograph with Ronan O'Gara.
After Ireland won the Grand Slam in 2009, with Ronan O'Gara kicking the famous drop goal to seal it against Wales in the final game of the Six Nations, the Irish team were then invited to Stormont to have an audience with Her Majesty.
Whilst waiting to speak to the Queen, O'Gara put his hands in his pockets and Frank Miller of the Irish Times took the widely misunderstood photograph. The photograph became instantly iconic. However, despite perceptions, the Corkman did not intend any rudeness towards the monarch.
The great Frank Miller, @IrishTimes picture ed, retired today - one of his unforgettable photographs - Ronan O'Gara hands in his pockets meeting the Queen while Jamie Heaslip gives him the filthies pic.twitter.com/lUdoXrVw6e
— Bernice Harrison (@BerniceHarrison) April 20, 2018
In his autobiography Unguarded, the former Irish fly-half reveals how the infamous picture unintentionally came about.
"We drank tea out of china, chatted with various people, and the atmosphere was very relaxed. We were advised about the protocol when meeting the Queen - how you stand and what you do.
If there's one thing I'd most like to clarify from my playing career, it is this incident.
I can still picture the moments before meeting her. I had sweaty palms. I like to think I present myself very well, so I put them in my pockets to keep them dry. That’s also a habit of mine”.
You don’t disrespect the Queen and the way this image was presented to the world was appalling. I was portrayed as a difficult Corkman. I received supportive letters from rabid republicans!
'I was described in the Irish Independent as a lout.'
The La Rochelle coach admits that the reaction to the picture and the accusations that he had no manners deeply bothered him. He stated that he understood that it was his fault but he never intended to insult the monarchy.
"It bothered me, and I wouldn’t be bothered by much. I’m thick-skinned but I’d like to think as time has passed people would appreciate that I am respectful. Critics can slate the arse off me all they want but this was about manners and respect.
This reflected on my upbringing, my parents, stuff that means something to me. I was described in the Irish Independent as a lout.
“ understand it was largely my own fault, but it was never my intention to offend anyone.
Let be known that O'Gara did not intend to cause any offence.
