O'Gara and the Queen (Pic: Irish Times)
There’s been a lot of talk about whether Ronan O’Gara was disrespectful to the Queen on her recent visit to Hillsborough Castle.
The Irish Times photo implies that he slouched with his hands in his pockets. It does seem like an odd way to stand when meeting a Head of State. Keeping both hands in one’s pockets doesn’t come that naturally (except, perhaps, to men who play a game with odd shaped balls).
The photo also implies that O’Driscoll is somewhat distressed by the whole situation. I can understand.
Good manners dictate that when meeting someone – especially a Head of State – one stands appropriately with hands outside of pockets. The other team members obviously took that as a given. As to whether Mr O’Gara was making a political statement – perhaps he was, perhaps he wasn’t. But such a contrivance looks to have an agenda behind it. And we’re not talking pocket billiards.
EDITOR’S POST-SCRIPT: AS IT HAPPENS THIS POST IS NONSENSE. RONAN O’GARA DID SHAKE HANDS WITH THE QUEEN
I think he is right she is only a person and means nothing to him. So if he wants to stand that way he should. Its 2009 who needs kings and Queens I think England or as they like to be called Great Britin should grow up.
Perhaps. That’s your opinion. But, then again, “manners maketh the man.”
Don’t be so quick to critisise O Gara for being disrespectful to a head of state. Rememeber what Martin Johnson did to President Mary McAleese?!!!
Lack of manners is lack of manners. And two wrongs don’t make a right. However, Neil Francis commented after the Martin situation that the suggestion that disrespect was shown to the President was “bullshit”. It was all about power and one-upmanship on Johnson’s part. Mind you, I know nothing about rugby.
You don’t need to know anything about rugby to see a blatant disrespect for a head of state. And a head of state is a head of state, be it queen or president. Neil Francis, a man who can only be described as an ok rugby pundit, is only one man and doesn’t reflect the opinion of the masses. It was’nt power or one-upmanship on Johnsons part, it was ignorance.
Johnny you sound more up to speed on these matters than me. So I’d agree with you. Disrespect is disrespect. Bad manners are bad manners.
In my opinion he was just having a stab at martin johnston. neither he nor the english rugbt union appologised to presedent mcaleese after what he did in lansdowne. so on one hand its bad manners but i think he was just making a point.
http://u.tv/Sport/Queen-meets-Grand-Slam-rugby-stars/01b8d373-a2a2-404c-8714-c27c4366c576
check out this video he shook hands with her….whole thing blown out of proportion by media
Irishlad, thanks for the link. This post has generated literally hundred of page views in the last few days – it’s obviously a topic that interests people. Te video does imply that all the payers extended a courteous welcome to the Queen and that it was a very good-natured affair. I’ll amend the post to include the video evidence.
That woman should have never set foot in Ireland full stop!!! She deserves every insult she gets!!
Mary if you read the post in full you’ll see that O’Gara did not insult the Queen – and you may also want to note the DATE of the post.
Well, He’s from Cork and it’s a VERY republican county. I feel he was standing for His beliefs. The queen keeps telling us that she’s just like the rest of us, so why can’t he standing and meet her like a civilian. Do not think I hate the royals or anything , I just think Ronan was Doing a good republican thing. Michael Collins and James Conolly are Guffawing in their graves!!!
Sophie, read the post in full and you’ll see he did NOT insult the Queen or refuse to shake her hand. UTV did have a video that proved this – but unfortunately it has been taken down.