US rugby hooker Dylan dreams of taking on Ireland
TADHG FURLONG’S rugby exploits are well known at this stage, but there’s a decent chance that he could be competing against a fellow Wexfordman in the front row when Ireland take on the U.S.A. in the Aviva Stadium on November 24.
That’s because Dylan Fawsitt, a 28-year-old hooker who hails from Piercestown, and also has strong links with Greystones in Wicklow, is in contention for a spot on the visiting team.
The former St. Martin’s G.A.A. player has signed with Rugby United New York for the 2019 Major League season, the latest step in a busy rugby career that began with Greystones at the tender age of seven.
He played there from 1997 all the way through to 2012, featuring on the first team over the last three years along with Wexford town native Bobby Clancy.
He attended the famed rugby school, Blackrock College, from 2004 to 2009, winning the prestigious Leinster Schools Cup in his final year.
Fawsitt then earned his Bachelor’s of Science degree in sports science and health from St. Mary’s College at the Institute of technology, Tallaght, where he attended from 2009 to 2013. During that time he represented St. Mary’s for two years in the All-Ireland League Division 1.
Dylan, son of Brian and Siobhán (nee Meyler), moved to the United States after graduating and attended Life University from 2014 to 2016, earning a Master’s degree in kinesiology and exercise science.
He ventured into coaching in that period, as an assistant to the Senior men’s elite as well as the undergraduate men’s and women’s teams.
He was responsible for designing defensive structures and attack policies along with set-pieces, and also coached the Atlanta Harlequins in the women’s Premier League.
In 2016 he was part of the inaugural professional league in the U.S., playing for the Ohio Aviators. After the season ended he lined out with Old Blue of New York, featuring in the back row and as hooker, and has maintained his ties with the club.
While in New York, he continued his coaching involvement as an assistant of the Monroe College men’s and women’s teams since 2016, as well as being the head coach in Fordham Preparatory School since February of last year.
He had the opportunity to play professionally in the U.S.A. again in 2018 as captain of Rugby United New York for their three-month unbeaten exhibition season. He then moved to Colorado for the remainser of the MLR season, playing for the Glendale Raptors.
He became eligible for the U.S.A. national team in 2017, travelling to Georgia for a test in November when he didn’t feature on the field.
However, he made his debut against Chile in Fullerton, California, on February 17 this year, and also played against Uruguay when he scored his first international try.
Married to Alyssa and nicknamed ‘The Butcher’, he now has five caps and will be hoping to add to his haul in the Aviva next month.