Cormac Izuchukwu hails 'special day' after starring in Ireland debut against Fiji
Cormac Izuchukwu got his first start for Ireland and was an ecstatic figure after full-time.
Cormac Izuchukwu marvelled at the whirlwind pace of the last few months that brought him to a history-making high against Fiji yesterday.
The Ulster flanker was robbed of a debut Test try at the Aviva Stadium as Mack Hansen's assist went forwards.
But otherwise it was a day to remember for the 24-year-old from Tullamore, the first Offaly man to play at Test level for his country.
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Afterwards, he asked if Peter Bracken had beaten him to it. Not so. "That's really special," said Izuchukwu.
"Everyone in Tullamore has been so good to me because I'm never home that much. They're always reaching out to me with phone calls.
"I was back there during the week and met a load of family and friends. It was special for me to see that they're really excited for me that I was going to be playing."
Loads of friends and family were at the game. "Trying to catch them all was impossible," he smiled. "I got around as much as I could.
"It was really special because they saw the start of the journey when I was going over to Scotland and stuff.
"Obviously the second I left, I've not been home much but they've always supported me and it's really special."
'Izzy' admits he had to be patient for this chance as he journeyed to the top, playing with Ireland's Sevens and fighting hard for recognition.
Had he not stuck it out he could have been with Tullamore's footballers in Parnell Park last night, fighting it out with Cuala in the Leinster club SFC semi-final.
"You can't think too much about what could have been," he said. "I've been at lots of clubs, Newcastle, with the Sevens, different places.
"You never know what can happen. It's class, but I'm happy to be here and over the moon.
"It's been a long year. Change at Ulster, various camps with Ireland, combined academies, end of summer South Africa and now into this camp.
"It's been class and this week in particular was really special. I've been blown away by how much the lads really got around me and made it special."
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And he puts his rise down to Richie Murphy coming into Ulster and giving him his chance.
"I got my shot to play three or four games in a row which gave me the feel of it because I was out for the year with that ACL. That was still hanging over me," he said.
"That run of games was what I needed to kick on and get the confidence. You can look at yourself in the mirror and think, maybe, 'I'm alright, I'm up for it'."
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