Leinster Rugby v Cardiff Blues

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 Leinster 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 Leinster 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.
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