RUGBY WORLD CUP FINALS: SUNCROFT’S CIAN PRENDERGAST AIMS TO MAKE THE CUT
By Daire Walsh
Suncroft native Cian Prendergast has said it would be ‘a dream come true’ to make the cut for Ireland at this year’s Rugby World Cup finals in France.
Currently part of a training squad based out of the IRFU’s High Performance Centre in Dublin, he will hope to be among the 33 players that are selected to travel over to a tournament that runs from 8 September to 28 October.
Ireland are aiming to still be involved for the final weekend of the World Cup for the first time in the country’s history and Prendergast is eager to be at the heart of this endeavour.
“It’s something that you dream of, since I was a child. You watch Irish teams at the World Cup. I can remember watching Ireland beating Australia in 2011 in New Zealand. Just being so in awe. I was in awe of what was happening. Even at 11-years-old, you kind of knew that was special,” Prendergast remarked at a recent media day in the HPC.
“Seeing your parents react to something like that. Getting the opportunity to be part of something like that and hopefully be part of an Irish team that does something really, really special would be a dream come true.”
While there are further warm-up clashes to come against England and Samoa on 19 and 26 August respectively, the focus for Prendergast and the remaining Irish hopefuls will be on the arrival of Kieran Crowley’s Italy to the Aviva Stadium this Saturday evening (kick-off 8pm).
Prendergast acknowledged he is aware of how important it is to perform when called upon this weekend and beyond with competition for places intensifying substantially.
“Obviously the selection, you can’t really escape it because it’s on the top of everyone’s mind. The media will start to talk about it more and more as the test matches roll in, but I think a day-by-day, week-by-week focus [is important],” he said.
“You’re trying to improve each training session and you’re putting yourself in the best position to hopefully play well in a test match. That ultimately will get you picked for a World Cup and then be part of an Irish team that hopefully does something really special.”
It’s an exciting time for Mark and Ciara Prendergast with their sons Cian and Sam making waves at both the provincial and international levels.
Whereas Cian made 16 appearances during a highly encouraging season for Connacht, his younger brother picked up two caps for Leinster on their mini tour of South Africa towards the end of the regular United Rugby Championship campaign.
Having watched the elder Prendergast sibling making his senior international bow against Fiji last November, they subsequently saw Sam helping to steer the Ireland U20s to a Six Nations Grand Slam title and – more recently – to the final of the World Rugby U20s Championship.
Cian spoke of his pride at how Sam performed for Richie Murphy’s underage outfit this summer, though he also admitted it was difficult viewing at times from a personal perspective.
“I can only say from watching Sam’s point of view, seeing how he has dealt with the circumstances they were dealt that week of the Fiji game. I think it was the most proud I’ve ever been of him,” he said.
“Just watching him grow as a person and ultimately they went and beat South Africa in the semi-final, the host nation. Just incredibly proud, but at the same time, very, very nervous. I don’t enjoy watching those games that much. I know how my parents feel now. It’s funny to be on that side of the fence.”