Max Deegan dismisses rumours he was ever going to sign for Ulster

“I’d be comfortable obviously playing a lot of no8 and then playing a lot of no6, but I think that’s where my game is at the moment, mainly no6.

By: irishmirror.ie

Sep 27 2024
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Max Deegan dismisses rumours h

Max Deegan is surely one of the most enigmatic players to have played for Leinster and Ireland in the last decade.

The man of mystery has been at the eastern province since joining the academy in 2016 and accumulated 116 appearances, just 70 of those as a starter.

Further search through his time shows he has played two thirds of his time in the no8 shirt, while there are a dozen appearances at open-side and 30 at blindside; he has even picked up two Ireland caps.

But then such is the lot of those who would be a first team contender at a Leinster where there are so many riches across the back-row.

Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan and Caelan Doris - with Munster's Peter O'Mahony as a fourth - have been central to all of Ireland's post-RWC 2023 plans with the likelihood that this will continue through the November series.

Here's is thing so; is the second line of Ireland back-rows also the Leinster's second line of back-rows, that is Max Deegan (2 Ireland caps), Will Connors (9 Ireland caps) and surely the best uncapped player in the country, the free-scoring Scott Penny.

There are plenty of holes in this argument - taking a John Hodnett or Alex Kendellan or Nick Timony into consideration - accepted but as a trio they can't be bettered.

Deegan accepts there is plenty of talent about and reveals he has made a decision to concentrate on a specific position, no6, for the foreseeable future.

“I’d be comfortable obviously playing a lot of no8 and then playing a lot of no6, but I think that’s where my game is at the moment, mainly no6.

"I’ve evolved my game to very strong lineout, one of the lineout leaders in the squad, strong line of defence, line of attack, also other parts of the game as a no6 within this club which I feel are good parts of my game, it’s definitely added to my game.

"Obviously the nuts and bolts I’m still nailing down but I’ve transitioned from being mainly a no8 to primarily a no6 now."

all of this, though, is possibly part of a wider picture as far as Deegan is concerned.

He last signed a contract in November 2021 that for reasons unclear wasn't announced until the following March 2022 and that, upon completion, will bring him to within touching distance of his thirties.

It is in this light, Deegan explains, the speculation he was moving to Ulster that surfaced in January and February of 2022 was simply somebody or other flying a kite. It was never a runner.

Actually Leinster gossip has it that Deegan has been someone identified as such a pure thinker about the game, who has shown leadership and understanding, that he has already been ear-marked for a coaching role.

And indeed the player is keen to tack on extra qualities, adding value to his time about the squad.

“It is important to try to figure out and find out what you can contribute most to the squad and what maybe could be a point of difference to get into the team.

"This is so important nowadays when you’ve a squad that is so,so good and everyone's base is so good and there is such high quality to work on what makes you stand out from x, y, and z because you need to have a point of difference.

"I feel like I’m always that point of difference in myself, using my athletic ability to have an impact in big moments for the team."