Will the nation's youngsters, inspired by an outstanding team and a memorable triumph, desert soccer, Gaelic football and hurling to embrace the oval ball in hitherto unseen numbers? Will the nation's youngsters, inspired by an outstanding team and a memorable triumph, desert soccer, Gaelic football and hurling to embrace the oval ball in hitherto unseen numbers? Irish rugby, which has done a wonderful job of punching above its weight in terms of player numbers in the past, will probably have to continue doing so in the future. Though ill-equipped to win the battle for mass popularity, it's proving increasingly attractive to elite players from Gaelic games in particular. Two of our outstanding local Gaelic football prospects, one of them pegged as a future Cork senior, have opted for rugby instead.

Source: Irish Independent March 19, 2018 20:26 UTC