Conan O’Donnell, Cillian Gallagher and Stephen Kerins
CLASSMATES in Summerhill. Clubmates in Sligo RFC. Teammates on the Ireland U20s.
The incredible feat of three Sligo boys who lined out together for their country last year had the county, and the country, watching on admirably.
Conan O’Donnell, Cillian Gallagher and Stephen Kerins put Sligo RFC enormously on the map as a producer of top- class future rugby stars.
Aside from these three, there are many more branching onto both the Connacht and national teams, players whose careers began on the green of Hamilton Park.
In 2016, Nigel Carolan’s Ireland U20s marched the whole way to the final of the World Cup last summer, where they were runners up to England.
Conan, Cillian and Stephen played significant roles throughout the campaign and made both local and national headlines for their success. In the Six Nations, the Ireland U20s recorded a brilliant victory in Newcastle against England, a feat that had not been done away from home before.
Then, come June, and the biggest scalp of them all.
The U20s achieved what had never been done by an Ireland team before. They beat the AllBlacks 33- 24 in the World Cup.
Not only that, they took on, and demolished Argentina in the World Cup semi- finals to reach the decider in Manchester with England.
It wasn’t to be for Carolan’s young guns, however Sligo was celebrating as their boys made history.
During both the Six Nations and World Cup, former classmates, teachers, friends and clubmates were cheering the trio on. Not to mention family.
Buses were organised for home games in Donnybrook as the county watched on with pride.
All three are once again part of the Connacht Academy this year.
Cillian has followed on last year’s success by being named captain during this season’s Rugby Six Nations. That in itself is also a huge achievement and honour to captain your country.
Their story has been a huge inspiration to young players following in their footsteps.
The trio will forever be remembered for their exploits in 2016.
They have shown that dreams of playing for your country are capable of becoming reality.