THE first standing ovation of the 2009 Sportstar of the Year awards was reserved for an Irish rugby legend, as Ollie Campbell took his place in the Fingal Independent/ Clarion Hotel Hall of Fame.

The Malahide man was a hugely popular choice amongst the hundred strong attendance, who showed their approval with a loud and fitting tribute to the Triple Crown winner.

No-one was happier to see Ollie collect his award than the master of ceremonies, Michael Lyster, who revealed that the pair 'go back a long way' as he arrived centre stage to the tune of Ireland's Call. 'We both have slightly different colour hair nowadays, but we won't go into that,' the RTE presenter quipped.

'You once had your photo taken with Ollie Campbell,' Michael began, setting the tone for an entertaining and often hilarious exchange between the duo.

'I did,' Ollie laughed, recalling how a mysterious letter from New Zealand, addressed simply to 'Ollie Campbell, Ireland', somehow made it to his door early in 1983.

'It was a request from a man in Invercargill, way down in the south of New Zealand. One of his horses had just delivered a foal who kicked him on the shin as it was born and he immediately decided to call it Ollie Campbell.

'He needed my permission, but I said no problem and I got my photo taken with him when we went out there on tour later in the year; I still have to point out to people which one is the horse!'

As Michael took his old friend on a trip down memory lane, Ollie revealed that his greatest moment was clinching the Triple Crown, but there were plenty of fond memories besides.

'Hugh Campbell asked me what my best memories are during the meal; there's a short and a long version and I gave him the short version and I'll do the same now. I will always hold the schools wins dear. Leinster Schools rugby is huge and I was lucky enough to be on two winning teams with Belvedere.

'The tour to New Zealand in 1983 was special, coming exactly 20 years after I first saw Ireland play, but the single greatest memory is and always will be the Triple Crown in 1982.

'My mother and father were both in Ravenhill in 1948 when Ireland won the Grand Slam. They hadn't met yet, mind you, but when I was born I was weaned on the success of that great team, so to be on the next Triple Crown team – only the fifth ever – and the first at Lansdowne Road was special. It was a historic occasion that I will take to the grave with me.'

Despite all his success, Ollie remains extremely modest about his impact on Irish rugby too, revealing that he can identify with the wise words of another Ireland legend, Tony O'Reilly.

'Tony famously said about all former Irish rugby internationals, that the older they get the better they used to have played.'

While not getting into the whole Tony Ward/Ollie Campbell selection controversy of 1979, Michael revealed that his next door neighbour ( Ward) sent his best wishes and congratulations to his old teammate.

For Ollie, receiving recognition from his local area was a moment to savour.

'Malahide was like a playground when I was growing up. There was so much to do and of course our family business was based in Swords. I'm an honorary life member of Skerries and Malahide, where one of my three Triple Crown jerseys is still hanging on the wall. So this particular award from this area and what it represents, genuinely means an awful lot to me.'

Old friends or not, Michael wasn't letting Ollie away without putting him firmly on the spot, but typically he wasn't found wanting.

'Before I let you go I have two questions; firstly - Johnny Sexton or Ronan O'Gara?' Michael queried.

'On current form, Johnny Sexton, but do not think for one second that it's the end of Ronan O'Gara's international career.'

'Fair enough,' Michael conceded, but my second question might be a bit trickier. If you could take three of the current Ireland rugby team for your team back in 1982 who would they be? We'll give you Brian O'Driscoll as a gimme.'

While admitting he'd never been asked that question before, Ollie was lightning quick with his response: 'I'd take Paul O'Connell pretty quickly and the other one that really excites me – and he's from the same bloodline as O'Driscoll – is Luke Fitzgerald. Every time he gets the ball something happens.'

With the awkward questions safely kicked to touch, Ollie Campbell then made way for the younger generation, but not before receiving the second standing ovation of the evening. Martina and Fergal Arthurs with Trish, Danny, Majela and Ian McGill at the Fingal Independent Sportstar of the Year Awards in the Clarion Hotel.

Larry Ryan and Niamh McEvoy at the Fingal Independent Sportstar of the Year Awards in the Clarion Hotel. Martina and Fergal Arthurs with Trish, Danny, Majela and Ian McGill at the Fingal Independent Sportstar of the Year Awards in the Clarion Hotel.

Larry Ryan and Niamh McEvoy at the Fingal Independent Sportstar of the Year Awards in the Clarion Hotel.

- John SAVAGE