The other side of the same world.
Stephen Ferguson misses home. He misses City of Derry Rugby Club. He misses Irish soil. Somewhere in the Middle East though, the former Ireland underage player found that he belonged. Just put an oval ball in his hands and he belongs anywhere.
It's been a long trek from his home in the north coast of county Derry where he was once a frightening underage GAA prospect with Faughanvale. The Ireland Club international made the decision to emigrate in September but it has just been business as usual.
The number 8 joined Dubai Exiles and, along with two fellow provincial men and an ex Malone coach, the Irish influence guided the city's oldest rugby club to unprecedented success, clinching a double in the Middle East.
https://twitter.com/NatSportUAE/status/718494221129408512
Under the experienced watch of Jacques Benade who was appointed director of rugby in July, Stephen Ferguson (City of Derry), Glenn Moore (Malone), and Kristian Stinson (Armagh) helped the Exiles to the West Asia Championship and the UAE Premiership in one stunning season and, for Ferguson, it has justified his move.
"I've played along with Irish, English and Emirati guys - won everything that the rugby has to offer. For a guy from Derry, it bears massive accomplishments," Ferguson spoke with SportsJOE. "I was only brought over here to win these kind of accolades and it's been achieved. The standard these boys bring is second to none."
Ferguson is used to ploughing through soft fields on this island, gaining yards for City of Derry in the All-Ireland League. He's traded it for the hard ground and the sunnier weather but he's thriving out there too.
Led by renowned fly-half, Durante Gerber, who has played internationally for Italy A, Dubai Exiles absolutely thumped Al Ain Amblers out of sight in their final UAE Premiership game to secure the trophy but it hasn't been easy. They've just assembled a good team - a winning team.
"The standard out here would rival AIL Division 2A," Ferguson said. "The guys that are in our team would easily make the step up to professional. We have Tom Stapley, who spent a week with the Ulster Academy, Glenn Moore who was involved in the Ulster Academy, and a host of other players who have played provincial or higher."
So what about Derry? What about home?
"I do miss home," he admitted. "I miss all the boys so much, I miss the craic. But winning these trophies makes it all worthwhile. Meeting all the boys out here, I was skeptical, but every player on the team reminds me of a guy from back home - it's unreal."
The other side of the same world.
