Wojtkowicz makes history
The stuff of dreams. Jakub (Kuba) Wojtkowicz, represented Ireland, Connacht & Sligo RFC in the U20 World Cup match against Georgia on Thursday. That moment, on his debut, that Kuba Wojtkowicz will never forget for the rest of his life, as he smashed over the try line for a try in the Rugby World Championship.
Jean McConnell, Sligo RFC PRO said: “We’re all very proud of him and can’t wait to see him back in a Sligo Jersey.
“Kuba was the only representative from Connacht and became the first Polish-born player to get an Irish cap.”
The Irish U20 team will play their final game at 3pm on Tuesday 12th June in Stade Aime-Giral, Perpignan, where they take on Scotland in the 9th12th place play-off.
19-year-old Kuba was being cheered on at the U20 World Cup by his proud parents and little brother Max.
Kuba from Aylesbury in Sligo is a former Sligo Grammar School player and has made his mark at Senior level as tighthead prop.
Last year he won the title of Ulster Bank Provincial Player of the Year for Connacht and was also named the Division 2C Player of the Year.
Sligo’s Cillian Gallagher, Conan O’Donnell and Stephen Kerins have all featured for the Irish U20s in recent years too.
Ireland were narrowly 26-24 in their opening game with hosts France and then took on the Springboks the following Sunday with South Africa winning 30-17.
In the Georgia game, which saw Kuba make his Irish debut, it was another narrow defeat for Ireland, final score 24-20 in favour of Georgia.
Ireland did finish well with Dan Sheehan getting over for a late try and replacement tighthead Kuba scoring in the final play on his Irish debut.
Noel McNamara’s men now play Scotland today in the play-off.
In other rugby news, Connacht Senior Coach of the Year Ross Mannion will be running the 2018 Connacht Rugby Summer Camp in Sligo RFC from Monday 2nd to Friday 6th July, 9.15am to 1.30pm. daily. The camp costs €85 per person and is open to all children from 6-12 years of age. It is not necessary to have any rugby experience and children of all skills are welcome. The camp will be run by fully accredited IRFU coaches and this year, there will be a brand new Camp Pack, which includes a 1/4 zip top, one free ticket to a Connacht Rugby game next season, a water bottle & drawstring bag. The always popular pro player visits will return, with a number of players visiting the Sligo camp during the week.
To book a place for your son or daughter just go to the Connacht community website for more details & fill out the online form. https://community. connachtrugby.ie/summer-camps-2018/.