Ireland and Fiji’s game at the U20 Rugby World Cup was played on Tuesday under a cloud of grief.
The Ireland team were in mourning following the deaths of St Michael’s students Andrew O’Donnell and Max Wall, and Munster Rugby Elite Performance Officer Greig Oliver.
O’Donnell and Wall passed away tragically on their Leaving Cert holiday in Greece while Oliver passed after an accident in South Africa, while he was following the team.
Olivier’s son Jack is a part of the Ireland U20 panel, as a scrum half, and was replaced on the bench for the Fiji game.
A moment of silence was held prior to the game, with the Ireland team wearing black armbands in honour of the fallen soldiers. The Fiji team also paid their respects to the Ireland camp with their captain Moti Murray presenting Ireland’s captain Diarmuid Mangan with a Fijian jersey.
Lovely moment ahead of kick-off as Fiji captain Moti Murray presents a jersey to Ireland captain Diarmuid Mangan as a mark of respect.#WorldRugbyU20s pic.twitter.com/iPgQg3MnQ1
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) July 4, 2023
“It’s a lovely moment from Fiji there,” said former Irish international Alan Quinlan on commentary.
“It’s unbearable really, unthinkable what they’re going through,” he added.
Ireland went onto defeat Fiji 47-27, booking their place in the semi-finals of the competition where they’ll take on host nation South Africa. Tipperary’s Brian Gleeson was one of the stars for the Ireland team on the day, scoring two tries, while Sam Prendergast and Gus McCarthy made telling impacts off the bench in the second half.
A moment silence is observed ahead of kick in memory of Greig Oliver.
It’s followed by a rousing rendition of Ireland’s Call from this young Ireland squad who have experienced such tragedy over the last few days.#WorldRugbyU20s pic.twitter.com/29pq1T7mrC
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) July 4, 2023
