RUGBY: TADHG BEIRNE INTERVIEW
Beirne’s first year at Scarlets has the perfect ending
By Daire Walsh
IT was an unforgettable day for Eadestown’s Tadhg Beirne at the Aviva Stadium last Saturday week, when his debut season as a Scarlets player ended with him becoming a Guinness PRO12 champion for the first time.
Rassie Erasmus’ Munster were the favourites to secure the 2016/17 title, but with six outstanding tries (including one from Beirne in the opening half – his first in professional rugby) in the Ballsbridge venue, the Welsh men conjured up a stunning 46-22 triumph.
With only four PRO12 appearances to his name (all of them as a replacement) prior to his summer move to the Scarlets from Leinster, Beirne admitted that 2017 has been the greatest year of his rugby career to date.
“It’s hard to put into words really. It has been one of the best years of my life. Going to Scarlets, I wanted to get game time. I didn’t think I would be coming to Scarlets to become a PRO12 champion,” Beirne remarked in the mixed zone after the game.
“I remember sitting down with Wayne Pivac before I signed, and he talked me through the whole team. I was like, ‘It’s a pretty good team who could do well’, but to think we would come the whole way, especially after our start, and be crowned champions is absolutely incredible.”
Indeed, at the end of a frustrating, injury-plagued spell with Leinster, Beirne had given serious consideration to taking a step back from professional rugby. He had considered a course in real estate at DIT, but after discussing a potential move with his parents, he ultimately decided to link up with the Scarlets.
“It was make or break. It was sign for Scarlets or I was going to do a Masters in real estate at DIT. I think it was the last week in May when I signed. I spoke to my parents and I said ‘Look, I want to have one more crack at it.’
“They said just go for it, you’ll regret it if you don’t. It was the best decision I ever made. Its worked out for me in every aspect.”
With 22 first-team appearances between the PRO12 and the Champions Cup, it has been proven to be a breakout season for the former Clongowes Wood College student. Yet, while he has been asked on a number of occasions whether he had a point to prove heading to Scarlets, he doesn’t see things this way.
“I’ve been asked a few times whether it’s a point to prove. Not really. There’s a little bit of an element about that. I’ve been lucky with my injuries, and so I didn’t get my opportunity. My ability has always been there. I’ve developed week-in, week-out since I got here. When I came here, I just played my game and luckily I played really well.”
His excellent form in recent weeks, and the departure of Donnacha Ryan and Mike McCarthy from the IRFU system, has inevitably led to talk of Beirne receiving a call-up to Joe Schmidt’s Ireland squad in the near future.
The 25-year-old accepted that he would have to return to Ireland if he had aspirations of featuring on the international stage, but is focused for the time being on his role with Scarlets – who have him under contract for at least another year.
“If I want to play for Ireland, I’ve to come home. That’s the reality, they don’t pick you outside it. Everyone wants to play for their country since they’ve been kids. Right now I’ve another year at Scarlets, I’m going to focus on that. Contract talks, we’ll look at it then. Right now my focus is with Scarlets for another year,” Beirne added.