Hi °C | Lo °C RUGBY star Ronan O'Gara has dismissed rumours that he is still a serious gambler, insisting he has put his betting days behind him.
The Munster player, while admitting he has "lost a fair bit of money" in the past through his love for placing a bet, said those days are behind him.
Speaking ahead of his book launch, O'Gara (right) said he liked a bet and his interest in having a flutter began when he was still a teenager.
"I was always fond of gambling. My interest in horses began when I was 16 and I've been tipping away for years. It's only in hindsight that I feel I did a bit too much," he said.
He said that while he now accepts his gambling might have been a problem in the past it was nowhere near the disaster reported in the media.
"There was never a point when I said 'I have to stop' but looking back there were times when I was too keen to get home after training to watch the racing," he said.
He was also quick to quash rumours of problems in his marriage. Describing claims his relationship was over as "black spiteful rumours" he said the suggestions upset his wife and his parents as well as himself.
