EUROPEAN GLORY
Tadhg stands tall as Leinster prevail
TADHG FURLONG may have ticked a lot of boxes already in his young career, but on Saturday evening last he became only the second Wexford player to win a European Champions Cup medal.
Furlong joins fellow county man, Gordon D’Arcy, on the roll of honour after Leinster entered the record books with a fourth European title, this time seeing off Racing 92 in a below-par final in Bilbao.
Without question this has been a huge period for the young Campile native. Having played a key role in Ireland’s first-ever victory over New Zealand in Chicago, with a storming display that signalled his arrival on the international stage, Furlong continued that progress in helping Ireland to the Grand Slam. Indeed, his displays putting him in contention for European player of the year.
Saturday’s final offered Furlong an opportunity to annex that coveted European medal, while still looking ahead to the PRO Direct League semi-final with arch-rivals, Munster.
And it was an opportunity that Furlong and his Leinster colleagues were not prepared to let slip, even though their performance in the 15-12 victory wasn’t anywhere near their best.
It was achieved through a late Isa Nacewa penalty, after he had assumed the responsibility for the two final kicks from Johnny Sexton, who was carrying the burden of some heavy hits.
In the lead-up to the final, Furlong said: ‘Without question it’s my biggest game for the province.
‘Coming in as a young fella you saw teams win; in 2011 I was in the sub-academy, and in the academy in 2012,’ he recalled.
‘I suppose you never really felt part of it, because when I came into the academy I had a long layoff with a shoulder injury. I wouldn’t have trained with the seniors. I would have been in early, out early.
‘Ever since we have reached semi-finals but never really pushed on, and as a young fella you want to get that respect. When it comes to a week like this you suddenly realise what it’s all about.’
Furlong put in his usual brilliant shift in the front row, controlling the Leinster scrum, but given the nature of the game, he was not afforded the same opportunity in the loose, with the opposing players avoiding his channel of play.
It was not a game made for Furlong’s usual influence in open play. There was a lot of grunt and push but, opposing a marker who had made life difficult for him on his international debut as substitute in France, he settled old scores while helping give his side a solid scrum on which to base their game.
In all the heavy scrums, despite the greasy conditions in the rain, Furlong commanded his side, being physically solid, and giving a really strong performance before being called ashore.
Furlong in the post-match inter- view described it as an ‘eerie final, a strange game of rugby.
‘This is a special group of players and credit to the lads out there celebrating, it was deserved. It was always going to be tough but we got over the line.’
Fair play to Furlong who has brought rugby to a new place in Wexford and his former club, New Ross, where it all began, must feel proud of the achievements of their favourite son who, on the final whistle, raced onto the pitch to join in the celebrations.
It may not have been the prettiest of finals, but in the end it was Furlong’s and Leinster’s day.