‘It’s a lot of sacrifices, but it’s worth it for these days’
All-Ireland League final
Daire Walsh
Clontarf scrum-half Angus Lloyd believes Sunday’s All-Ireland League final showdown with Cork Constitution at the Aviva Stadium (3pm) is the perfect reward for all the sacrifices made by the squad throughout the season.
Having previously lined out for Dublin University, UL Bohemians and Ballynahinch in the AIL, Lloyd has enjoyed a memorable debut campaign at Castle Avenue under the stewardship of Andy Wood.
“I think people sometimes don’t understand or appreciate the commitment that goes into something like this. We started pre-season back in July and it goes all the way through now to the beginning of May. It’s a long season doing two or three gym sessions a week, two pitch sessions, sacrificing your Saturday most weeks,” Lloyd remarked.
“We say no to a lot of things on a social level, friends and family. A lot of sacrifices, but it’s worth it for these days.”
Following brief stints at both Ulster and Munster in the recent past, Lloyd moved to Connacht on a short term deal last December. Despite making just two appearances for the Galway-based province, he has signed a full-time contract for the 2019-20 season.
In addition to balancing his club and provincial commitments, Lloyd is also studying medicine at the RCSI in Dublin. This has left the 26-year-old with a hectic schedule week-to-week, but he has found a way to make it work thus far.
“Both Connacht and Surgeons have to be flexible. It’s a lot of both. Basically, what I was doing with Connacht was: if I made their 23 I’d have to stay with them all week. If I didn’t make their 23, I’d train Monday and Tuesday. Leave Wednesday morning, go to college Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. Train with Clontarf, play with Clontarf on the weekend.
“When I went to RCSI with it, I didn’t think they’d say yes. When Connacht first approached me at Christmas, Andy Friend rang me asking would I be keen. ’Yeah I’d be really keen, but I have to figure it out with college.’
“If they had said no, I wouldn’t have gone. I just want to get medicine done. Connacht have been very flexible and so have RCSI. Both of them have been amazing.”
Though Lloyd’s primary focus this weekend will be on Sunday’s decider at Lansdowne Road, he will also have on eye on Connacht’s PRO14 quarter-final against Ulster in Belfast tomorrow evening. The western province has been reenergised since the arrival of Andy Friend as head coach last summer and Lloyd is fulsome in his praise of the Australian native.
“I get on very well with Andy, find him a really nice guy. He’s very upfront, he’ll tell you exactly where you stand. He’s trying to build a new atmosphere down there and put his own mark on things and I think he’s doing that.
“This season has been a big improvement on last season and they’re definitely playing some really nice rugby.”