Magners League Official Website : 100 up for Hickie

100 Leinster appearances for Denis Hickie

100 up for Hickie

3 March 2006, 12:14 pm

By Jonathan McConnell

Denis Hickie will make his 100th Leinster appearance when he lines up on the left wing for Sunday’s Celtic League clash with Connacht at Donnybrook.

The British and Irish Lion will join three current colleagues in achieving the feat (Reggie Corrigan, Brian O’Meara and Girvan Dempsey) and becomes the sixth Leinster player to reach the milestone after Shane Byrne and Victor Costello.

Hickie will line in a strong back-line that includes Girvan Dempsey, Kieran Lewis, Rob Kearney and Felipe Contepomi who captains the side.
In the pack, Cameron Jowitt returns from injury and partners Bryce Williams in the second row with Bank of Scotland (Ireland) Leinster player of the month Keith Gleeson forming a powerful back-row alongside Eric Miller and Jamie Heaslip.

Tickets are on sale now and are priced as follows: Open Stand (Adult) €20, Terrace (Adult) €15, Terrace (Schoolboy/girl) €5 from Spar (Donnybrook), Leinster Rugby Store, Elvery's (Dawson St. & Suffolk St.), Centra (Cornelscourt)

Reflecting on his nine-year career for the Blues, Hickie said: “Sunday will be a very proud day for me. I’ve enjoyed a lot of good times with Leinster. There have been a lot of changes in rugby since I made my debut back in ’96. The only thing that I remember from my debut in Genoa was that it was a pre-season tour and was the last of the good old amateur trips under Ciaran Callan, Paul Dean and Jim Glennon as Manager.
“I was 19 at the time and I just remember playing alongside stalwarts of Leinster rugby such as Chris Pim and Alain Rolland. At the time I never thought that I would make 100 appearances. Looking back I remember a high-scoring defeat to Munster in Donnybrook. 34-31 I think it was. That was a brilliant game to be a part of because the old-fashioned Interpro series had so much meat to them; partly because the games were seen as unofficial ‘Trial’ games for Ireland and because there wasn’t the same degree of familiarity as there is now.

“In the early years of the European Cup we travelled to places like Pau and nobody would have known who they were never mind where it was! Irish teams were competitive in Europe but not as highly respected as they are now.
“The away win in Montferrand was memorable because it was the first time that we won in France. It was the same level of achievement when we also won in Northampton. To be honest though, once we actually got over the challenge of beating sides away from home by being more competitive did the whole experience become more enjoyable.

“I have played in Toulouse on two occasions – under Mike Ruddock and Matt Williams and, believe me, it will be as tough a test as it is building up to be. We’re all really looking forward to it, but we know that there’s a lot of rugby left to be played before we can focus our attentions on that game.

“Sunday’s game will be another tough test. Connacht are always difficult opponents. I would have played against the likes of Eric Elwood, Nigel Carolan and Merv’ Murphy over the years so I know only too well the proud traditions of Connacht. It’s vital that we get the win and put in a strong performance.
“I’ve been very fortunate to work under a lot of great coaches and managers like Jim Glennon and Ken Ging who were always hugely supportive of me. On a personal level, reaching the 100-cap achievement means a lot. Only Shane (Byrne) and Victor (Costello) out of the six who have reached the milestone previously started their careers before me. So it’s nice to a part of that group. I’ve always been proud to be a Leinster player because there’s a proud rugby tradition in my family.”

LEINSTER TEAM
15: Girvan Dempsey
14: Rob Kearney
13: Kieran Lewis
12: John Hepworth
11: Denis Hickie
10: Felipe Contepomi CAPTAIN
9: Guy Easterby
1: Reggie Corrigan
2: Brian Blaney
3: Will Green
4: Cameron Jowitt
5: Bryce Williams
6: Eric Miller
7: Keith Gleeson
8: Jamie Heaslip

Replacements:
16: Bernard Jackman
17: Emmett Byrne
18: Ben Gissing
19: Adam Byrnes
20: Brian O’Riordan
21: Jonathan Sexton
22: Gary Brown