Former Lion still hungry for success despite setbacks

Walking away from the game is never easy, so being forced to retire prematurely must be every sportspersons' worst nightmare. How one deals with this dose of reality is the test of the man. Jeremy Davidson is coping fine. Some may say the former Ulster, Ireland and Lions second row at least got to experience playing at the very highest level but that makes it hurt even more. Imagine having it all taken away when at the pinnacle of your powers.

Next Wednesday team-mates, coaches and friends will honour Davidson at a testimonial dinner in Belfast's Europa hotel. Several of the game's top brass from home and abroad are expected to celebrate a career, which included spells at London Irish and French club Castres, whom he captained.

While earning his 32 caps for Ireland between 1995 and 2001, Davidson also twice toured with the British and Irish Lions in 1997 (South Africa) and 2001 (Australia).

His first cap for Ireland saw him on the blindside flank against Fiji and he earned a further two starts there (against Scotland and France) before being slotted back to the comfort of the engine room: "Yeah, I was in the back row with David Corkery and Paddy Johns, while (Gabriel) Fulcher and (Neil) Francis were in second row. Rugby was more about a big pack of forwards then. It's obviously a faster game now."

With the Lions in South Africa he played in all three Tests as Martin Johnson's team won the series 2-1. Furthermore, he was voted players' player of the tour; no small achievement considering the performances of Keith Wood, Jeremy Guscot, Lawrence Dallaglio and Johnson.

Thereafter his career was blighted by a succession of injuries including the severing of his cruciate ligaments while playing for London Irish, against Gloucester, just six months after the 1997 tour.

Every year since he has been under the surgeon's knife. Yet, he managed to make it back for the 1999 World Cup but the week of the Australia pool match he was laid out by back spasms.

The move to Castres in 1998 began positively when he adapted comfortably to the rigours of the French professional game, also learning the language. His international career stalled because of the constant surgery but, again, he made a late surge for the plane to Australia three years ago with Graham Henry's ill-fated Lions.

Although failing to make the Test XV he showed up well in the Wednesday side but just as his career seemed set for a long overdue clear run he fell foul to further injuries - shoulder, elbow and even a broken thumb.

He managed to break back into the Irish squad (twice captaining Ireland A) and seemed poised to earn his first cap since 2001 only to be forced into retirement after damaging his knee in a fishing accident in May 2003, aged 29. Only then did he catch a break.

"It was good timing that when I announced my retirement Dungannon were in the process of removing Andy Earl as coach. I'm very thankful that they were willing to take a chance on me and long may it continue."

Difficult to make the change?

"Not at all. I relished the opportunity. At the time my back and knee were injured and I was on crutches for 10 months. Also, I had a lot more to worry about than coaching.

"I'm very happy at Dungannon. It's the best learning curve open to me and I do hope to improve as a coach."

Within 12 months his career had turned full circle. Having just completed a first season as director of coaching at Dungannon he is a fully paid up member of the fraternity, especially after completing the elite level-three coaching course this summer.

The testimonial dinner is not just for Davidson's well-being as Macmillan Cancer Relief and Friends of Mitchell House will be benefiting from event.

"Everybody has been affected by cancer throughout the world and unfortunately my mother died from the disease two years ago," he said.

"It is a worthwhile charity. Also, my goddaughter suffers from cerebral palsy and Mitchell House is a beneficial charity in this regard."

The event is hosted by ITV's Mark Robson, and includes guest speakers Keith Wood and former Lions and Scotland coach Ian McGeechan (in a questions-and-answers format).