On BT Sport 2 on Friday night Brian O'Driscoll's Shoulder To Shoulder documentary aired. The programme tackled the role rugby played in uniting the north and south of Ireland, and has provoked an overwhelmingly positive reaction online, with several people praising the show for illuminating the importance the sport played in Ireland over the years.
The show made for great television, with O'Driscoll trying his best to cover the Protestant and Catholic point of view in regards to the evolution of the sport and throughout the hour runtime you really did get a sense of how sport can play an incredibly healing role in our society.
On social media, the doc provoked a powerful reaction, with many commending O'Driscoll for taking on the subject:
@BrianODriscoll powerful stuff. Will be showing my rugby playing 15 year old daughter this program tomorrow. #shouldertoshoulder
— Owen O'Hara (@onoh99) October 12, 2018
I’ve only watched 5 mins of #shouldertoshoulder but I’m already exceptionally emotional and proud! I love Ireland ?? and I love our national side! We should all be together no matter what!
— Michael (@mikeymcmanus) October 12, 2018
#ShoulderToShoulder is proving a powerful documentary watch ???
— Andy Thomas (@andythomas1990) October 12, 2018
Studied The Troubles doing a politics degree in university, must say #ShouldertoShoulder documentary moving, educational and worthy of your time, whether you like rugby or not.
— Owain Jones (@OwainJTJones) October 12, 2018
David Duckham’s interview in #ShouldertoShoulder shows the powerful bonds that rugby can forge, I know my dads generation have always spoken in reverence of England playing that game in Dublin
— Adam Redmond (@AdamRedmond) October 12, 2018
Really hope this programme gets sold to traditional channels to reach a wider audience. It needs to be seen and the true impact of the sport in Ireland should be celebrated and properly appreciated. #ShouldertoShoulder Well done all.
— Chris (@ulster_exile) October 12, 2018
Fair play @btsportrugby this is some film. Amazing to hear these stories from Irish legends. #ShouldertoShoulder ☘️
— Paddy McAllister (@PaddyMcAllister) October 12, 2018
“Accommodate difference” if you only take two words from @BrianODriscoll & @btsportrugby brilliant #shouldertoshoulder let it be Trevor Ringland’s “accommodate difference” @IrishRugby @UlsterRugby @leinsterrugby @connachtrugby @Munsterrugby
— eamorugby (@HoarseRoar) October 12, 2018
An award winning documentary on @btsport by @BrianODriscoll #ShouldertoShoulder
— Stephen Ferris (@StephenFerris6) October 12, 2018
@BrianODriscoll #ShoulderToShoulder is best thing you've done since retired! Really enjoyed it & v interesting. Prior to this, don't think I'd realised the significance that the Irish rugby team represents both sides of border. May be ignorance but took it for granted. Well done!
— Matt Donkin (@MattD74) October 12, 2018
Shoulder To Shoulder will be aired again on Saturday night on BT Sport 2 from 7.45pm.
If you missed #ShoulderToShoulder we're showing it again Saturday evening on BT Sport 2 HD from 7.45pm.
Set your reminders. Essential viewing... pic.twitter.com/MnjHIApu0Q
— Watch Shoulder to Shoulder live on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) October 12, 2018
