Three Connacht Rugby youngsters are celebrating Ireland's incredible success in winning the U20 Six Nations Championship at the weekend.
Galway's Hugh Gavin, Ballina's Harry West and Ballinasloe's John Devine were all part of Richie Murphy's Grand Slam winning side that secured back-to-back success for Ireland at the weekend.
All are involved in Connacht's Academy, and Galwegians' Hugh Gavin is following in his dad Barry's footsteps, having grown up playing rugby in Crowley Park since he was six.
Making his way through the age grades before making his first appearance for Galwegians 1st XV at the beginning of this season, Gavin is now a Six Nations' winner, having helped Ireland to a 36-24 win with two tries.
"It was always only ever going to be Wegians for me," Hugh says. "My dad is a proud Wegian and was club captain for years, so he’s encouraged me to buy into the club and I really enjoy playing my rugby with them.
"He also coached me all the way up through the age groups and was always really supportive and helpful, giving a lot of time and effort to coach myself and the lads."
One of the talented youngsters to be taken into the Connacht pathway system, Hugh has steadily progressed from u16 to the representative sides in the u18 and u19 interpro campaigns.
"At the end of this Summer I was also lucky enough to get capped for the Connacht Eagles and from there, Eric [Elwood] and the management decided they would give me an academy contract.
"I can’t speak highly enough of the coaching and staff in the Connacht Academy. We are extremely lucky to have the level of coaching we have here in Connacht, not only on the pitch but off the pitch as well. The S&C coaches, nutritionists, physios and personal/player development coaches all play a big part in helping us reach our goals."
Gavin believes he is lucky to have been "thrown around the park as a young lad" so he was always familiar with a few positions.
While his dad Barry was a backrow player, Hugh sees himself more as a centre long term, but enjoyed playing on the wing in this year's 20's campaign.
"I was given loads of help familiarising myself with the position, and it made it a seamless enough switch, but I hope to be back playing the centre soon."
He has also suffered his share of time-out, having suffered a recent shoulder injury.
"The time out of rugby from injuries is quite discouraging, but that step back from playing the game definitely helped me come back from my should injury with a lot of determination and hunger to come back stronger and better than I had been before.
"My Dad always just tells me to go out and enjoy it, work hard, get on the ball and not to let the games pass me by.
"It's pretty surreal to be honest, and its really nice to see the hard work of the squad and coaches being rewarded with a Grand Slam. It's what every young rugby player dreams of winning."
Gavin says the standard of the squad was very high even in the first few camps.
"We had been going from strength to strength leading up to the first game, and even though we weren’t sure what to expect, we took confidence in knowing how well coached we were and the talent that was there in the squad.
"I think it just shows that all the hard work being done in the youth system in Connacht and in the club is paying off in producing more representative players."
One player who has escaped the Connacht system is Sam Prendergast - the brother of Connacht's Cian- who is joined the Leinster Academy last season.
IRELAND U20: H McErlean (A Osborne, 52-61 - HIA ); J Nicholson (A Osborne, 61 ), H Cooney, J Devine (H West, 67 ), H Gavin; S Prendergast, F Gunne (O Cawley, 79 ); G Hadden (G Morris, 67 ), G McCarthy – captain (D Sheahan, 79 ), P McCarthy (F Barrett, 67 ); D Mangan (J Hopes, 70 ), C O'Tighearnaigh; J McNabney, R Quinn (L Molony, 63 ), B Gleeson.
