Munster signing Tom Farrell goes back to his Croke Park roots for Leinster URC clash
Steeped in the GAA as a youngster, Munster's new recruit from Connacht can't wait for URC Croke Park showdown with Leinster after turning down France move
Tom Farrell will be back where his sporting dreams began on Saturday.
It is 19 years since he first stepped out onto the Croke Park pitch, when he lined out for his Blanchardstown school St Brigid's in the Cumann na mBunscoil.
"At that stage you think it's everything, but it'll be a bit more full this weekend," smiled the new Munster centre.
READ MORE:Munster boss Graham Rowntree: Croke Park date v Leinster is like facing the Haka
READ MORE:Self-styled heavy metal Vikings at Leinster ready to make a splash against Munster
"Just when we were young lads, that was the goal, to get to Croke Park. In the games leading up to it, you knew the final was there so you're gunning for it. For an empty Croke Park, at that age you don't mind."
Going to Croker has been a constant over the years as his family were divided over the great Dublin v Mayo championship rivalry.
"I used to always go, my Mam's side of the family are from Mayo so the brothers and all that side of the family would be up in Croke Park getting their hearts broken every second year," he said.
"So I was at a lot of the Dubs versus Mayo games over the years, the atmosphere was unbelievable. Ciaran Kilkenny was Castleknock and I was St Brigid's, we'd be the same crop of players coming through."
Returning in a playing sense is just part of a dream start since his 11th hour move from Connacht in the summer. "Round two could have gone better," Farrell exclaimed, recalling the first ever loss by the province to Zebre.
"Yeah, personally I'm delighted with how it's going so far. I know rugby is so week to week, you can be cloud nine one week and the next it'll be a disaster.
"At the moment I'm loving it, the way the team is set-up, the coaching staff and the lads; it's been brilliant so far, I'm loving it. Croke Park this weekend, it's another added incentive, yeah."
In fact, Farrell and his wife were excited about a new start on foreign shores when the late call came from the Reds. Disappointed but not shocked that he was among the group of Connacht players not offered a new contract, the 31-year-old was ready to accept the offer from a club in France.
"It was very appealing," said Farrell. "I was close to going and I chatted to my wife about it. We were both looking forward to it, excited and happy."
His friend, Tom Daly, had agreed to move to Nice and Farrell was happy for the next adventure, having come to Connacht via the Leinster academy and then the English Championship with Bedford Blues.
"You know the lads around you have contracts happening," explained Farrell. "It's coming into March or April and you'd have usually been signed up before then. The writing was on the wall, but so be it.
"It wasn't completely a shock, I was a little bit disappointed but I didn't beat myself too much or let myself get down too much. I realised it's pro sport, I moved on and I've landed on my feet here to be honest.
"This came up and it was a no-brainer to turn down something like this. Playing with one of the biggest clubs in Europe, the history behind it and success in recent seasons, it would be stupid not to."
After seven seasons with Connacht he has hit the ground running with the Reds with three starts from three games at the start of the URC season. As fate would have it he made his competitive debut against the westerners, a 10-try shoot-out that Munster won.
"I saw the fixtures and said 'oh f***'," he laughed. "Not that Ì wanted to prove people wrong. That first game going into the first round I was nervous because of a couple of factors - first game in Thomond, I wanted to put my best foot forward in front of the Munster fans and then against my old team Connacht.
"There were a lot of nerves, but thankfully we pipped them in the end and that was satisfying."
Farrell came close to playing for Ireland a couple of times and it remains an ambition. A strong season with Munster would help but centre is an area that Andy Farrell is well stocked in.
"I was in a couple of camps when I was younger with Joe (Schmidt)," he said. "It was a combination of probably being a bit naïve and raw in the camp.
"Definitely, I wouldn't rule it out. At the club I'm at I'm in the shop window every week, I know I'm a bit older than a lot of the young centres coming through, but if you're playing consistently and regularly and playing good rugby I don't see why not.
"I'd only done one full season with Connacht and then I was into the Irish camp and I was probably a bit raw at that stage, didn't understand the intensity needed for Test level.
"A couple of injuries then as well, in and around that time stalled me a bit. So be it."
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts.
Related
Share this page
Guest Posts by Easy Branches
