I remember Shane Deering getting the ball and turning on the burners, leaving people for dead. Not least in the All-Ireland U21 final win over Kerry in 1999 in Limerick. “Larsey” was a wonder, a genius of a player.
Many weekends around that time, I’d end up in “The Field” (without Bull McCabe) behind Egerton’s house in The Downs where the gang of all ages, including the man himself, would play soccer, often like we were in the knockouts of the World Cup and scouts were watching.
Little did I know that Mr Deering Senior, who had sadly passed away in 1988, was a distinguished eight-cap Irish rugby international, considered among the great flankers to have played for both Munster and Leinster. His green-career ended, as captain, against the All-Blacks in a narrow defeat.
more caps
Had it not been for foot-and-mouth issues in the mid-60s and injuries, he would have garnered more caps. Today, the Shay Deering Cup (he was born Séamus Mary Deering) is an annual game played between greats of Garryowen and St Mary’s in Limerick in his honour.
Although taken far too young, aged just 40, his name lives on in the pantheon.
Converting
It is, of course, a case of already having had many a local talent find their feet at a high level with the oval ball.
Take recently-retired trio Conor O’Brien, Mark Flanagan, and Conor Gilsenan (all injury-related).
Exceptional players who came from Mullingar RFC to reach the heights of Leinster, Munster, European Cup rugby, French D2, English Premiership and Ireland experience – a far cry from myself being Mark’s “mentor” in St Finian’s College!
Add to that the likes of Niall Breslin (Bressie) and Danny Qualter (son of bainisteoir and legend Séamus), and the list of locals representing the green at various levels in the past is strong.
While still in the mix are those such as Conor’s brother, Seán O’Brien (Exeter Chiefs), and current-internationals Katie Heffernan, Anna McGann, and Robbie Henshaw.
Of course, not to exclude the many others plying their trade in 15s or 7s home and abroad, while future stars in St Loman’s GAA duo Caoimhe McCormack and Meabh O’Hara are two who may get the green shirts before others given their high-rated stock in Leinster rugby these days!
Foxe Hunting
As the timeline has modernised from Deering (not a native Midlander himself), the Westmeath names on the rugby pitch at provincial and international level have grown. And, with the way things progress, not least for one young Rahugh man, the sky is the limit.
Ronan Foxe started in the front-row last Friday evening in the U20 Rugby World Cup Final – held in aptly named Athlone Stadium, South Africa – against the mighty Les Bleuets.
He took on opposition like Posolo Tuilagi (not yet 19, 6ft 5in. and almost 150kg) – a far cry from his days with Rosemount/Cill Óige GAA at underage level battling players of different physique. Unfortunately for Ronan, the final did not pan out in the way Ireland would have wanted but there can be no doubt in the efforts of Foxe.
He entered without any caps and took on all that came at him, as did the entire squad, particularly given the tragic circumstances that fellow uncapped Jack Oliver suffered in losing his father in an accident during the tournament.
Originally on the bench, Foxe’s impression both from the replacements and as a starter in the semi-final against the hosting Springbok earned him his place at loose-head in the decider. He did himself and his family proud, his county and his country proud, and, in achieving what he did, has continued the legacy of inspiring others.
His name now goes onto that list of Westmeath Rugby Legends. With the strong numbers at underage in male and female games – in no small part due to the influence of those who paved the way for them – it promises to be a future where maroon will be ‘hooked’ in and have front-row (or second-row) viewing to the green aspirations in years ahead.
