"It was my first 15s game in a few months and I loved every minute of it."
Shane Daly first came to the reckoning as a hard-hitting centre with Ireland U20s and got to the World Rugby U20 final with the likes of Andrew Porter, Max Deegan and Johnny McPhillips. In that side's incredible victory over New Zealand, en route to the final, Daly showed he did not pay much heed to reputations.
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Daly possesses serious pace and, as he was developing within the Munster Academy, he was called up by Ireland Sevens for their World Series matches.
Ahead of the 2018/19 season, Johann van Graan took a proper look at the Cork native and was impressed with what he saw. The likes of Andrew Conway and Keith Earls will be fed into the senior squad in the coming weeks but Daly was handed the 11 jersey and tasked with getting Munster off to a flyer.
In his 53 minutes on the pitch, in Munster's 39-0 victory, the 21-year-old made 33 metres off 10 carries and stuck six tackles. Asked to name a couple of players that impressed him during his side's win, van Graan mentioned Daly first and praised his zeal and endeavour.
The South African was just as pleased with Munster keeping Cheetahs to '0' and Daly played a big part in that, wrangling Malcolm Jaer to the ground to prevent what looked like a certain try. Way over on his wing, Daly sensed there was danger when Sibhale Maxwane cut loose.
12-0 and looking far and away the better team, this could have turned the fixture but 'Cheetah' Daly turned on the afterburners. There was the awareness, too, after that lung-buster, to release Jaer so Munster could effect a turnover. Pacy, strong and clued in.
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Out-Cheetah-ed the Cheetah.
That tackle, more so than his attacking sparks, was a sign to his Munster teammates that he is one of them. 100% committed.
"I have played a lot of centre in 15s but playing Sevens has given me that ability to transition to the wing," he said after the game. "All you can do is your best when you get the opportunity... There are so many great players in the squad."
A cracking start for Munster and a new, speedster option in their backline. Reasons to be hopeful.
