Leinster Rugby v Cardiff Blues

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Comerford, however, didn’t feature after picking up an injury early into his time with the Ireland team, a cruel blow knocking his dream of representing his country on the head. “I injured my shoulder in the very first camp so I missed out there. “I was trying to get back into the squad really, to get some game, or any game, and I would be happy. But then, obviously, Covid hit just before our Italy game.” Like the rest of us, they had to accept it for what it was. A global pandemic is not something that can be wiped away overnight. More disappointment arrived in August when Six Nations tournament organisers declared that the U-20 competition would not be completed for 2020. While the same frustrations we’ve all faced this year will linger, Comerford, still shorn of that chance to play for Ireland, doesn’t feel he has any special grievance or cause for anger. He simply suggests that he would have had an uphill task of displacing any of the back three who had made the jerseys their own over the opening three games. “We were all disappointed, we trained really hard and I think we were ready to just get the games done, we really wanted to play. “Playing for your country is such a huge source of pride for everyone. There was a lot of frustration and disappointment, but we understood the circumstances. “It’s not normal, it wasn’t just a match being called off, it was for our safety and for the “PLAYING FOR YOUR COUNTRY IS SUCH A HUGE SOURCE OF PRIDE FOR EVERYONE. THERE WAS A LOT OF FRUSTRATION AND DISAPPOINTMENT, BUT WE UNDERSTOOD THE CIRCUMSTANCES.” benefit of everyone. We knew that they had to make that decision. “I’ve just been unfortunate, it would have been tough anyway to break into the team with players like Andrew Smith, Ethan McIlroy and Oran McNulty.” Despite that setback, he hasn’t had to look too far for inspiration. Playing in the Celtic Cup last year, Comerford shared a dressing room with two players who have since made a huge stamp on <strong>Leinster</strong> and Ireland – Hugo Keenan and Rónan Kelleher. “I got one or two games alongside guys like Hugo and Rónan and now you see Hugo starting full back for Ireland at the weekend. “The step up he’s made is great to see, and Ró, you can see the pathway that they have put in place.” While still only in Year One of the Academy, Comerford has quickly caught sight of what to improve and how to do that. Taking part in that Celtic Cup campaign and now getting the opportunity to train with the senior <strong>Leinster</strong> squad have given him a good opportunity to learn and develop. “Particularly with not having the end of the Six Nations and the Junior World Cup which would be a time when a lot of guys would be trying to break through, it’s been great being up with the seniors. “Even just being able to train with them, seeing how they work and how they train, it’s been a great experience. “It’s another step up. It was probably a shock to the system I would say, but I think I’m getting used to it now.” Many would agree. www.leinsterrugby.ie | 91 | From The Ground Up
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Leinster Rugby v Cardiff Blues

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