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1st March 2021
01:21pm GMT

When was the moment you realised you were moving ahead of the likes of John Cooney and Luke McGrath? I don't think there was a moment. [But] I put it down as a goal, when we went into the first lockdown - to come into the next season as an international. I came close a few weeks ago against France, but today's all the sweeter for it. I don't think there was a moment... maybe today after the 60th minute when we scored a try and I thought, 'Yes, I'm going to make my international debut'. There was no other moment.When was the first time you came across Ryan Baird? You played against him at Under-18 Schools level and you've shared a lot of this journey together He was quality back then, then I went on to play with him the Irish U18 Schools and U20s. He's been class throughout. He's absolutely unreal, a freak athlete. He's ran over 10 metres per second, which is terrifying for a fella so big. He has all the capabilities to push on. Has everyone back at Shannon RFC been sending you messages? The phone was buzzing, especially in the France week I got a hell of a lot of texts. I had to turn the phone off until after the game, so I had to go back through the messages after not playing. That was a bit awkward. Everyone from Shannon's been on to me. Peter Stringer text me before the France game, so that was cool. Everyone's so supportive. What did Peter Stringer message you? He just said best of luck and be yourself, don't try and do anything out of the ordinary. Have yourself and Ryan been good for pushing each other on? I wouldn't say we joined up and motivated each other. There wasn't need for extra motivation. We're pretty motivated anyway. But it's cool we played against and with each other at 18s, with each other at 20s and then making a debut today. it's cool to be on the same side. Alan Quinlan was saying, on TV, that he held you as a baby, at Shannon. Nice to be embarrassed like that, back home?! I don't actually remember that. But that's great, yeah! There's been a photo going around of Stringer holding me as well... hopefully they don't keep flooding out now.
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