Max Deegan has been doing this all year for Ireland. The world is watching now, however, and Deegan could care less. He’ll keep doing what he does.
The hot-streak No.8 will only turn 20 in October. He will go from the World Rugby U20 Championship final, this weekend, to pre-season at the Leinster Academy.
If he is lucky, he might get a development contract. If he is luckier still he will break into the senior set-up before doubt sets in. Right now, he must feel bulletproof.
Deegan was part of Ireland’s starting XV that found themselves 17-0 down to Wales at the start of this championship. The same Wales team that looked so good in beating them in Donnybrook back in February. The same Wales that were Grand Slam champions.
Ireland scored 26 points in response and only paused for thought when Wales missed a late conversion to see them lose 26-25.
They have not looked back since.
Deegan certainly did not look back when he wrestled the ball off an Argentinean flanker, this evening, and outpaced three backs to the tryline. His try came out of nowhere to gut-punch the young Pumas but it was only a fraction of his overall contribution.
Phenomenal performances in an emphatic @IrishRugby win #IRL https://t.co/R33Z96xieW
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) June 20, 2016
They couldn’t lay a paw on him all game. For a No.8, he is blessed with the speed and foot-work that has drawn comparisons to Jamie Heaslip in his early years – before he became a ruck-hitting warhorse.
Shane Horgan practically purred as he assessed Deegan on co-commentary duty with Sky Sports. He can’t wait to see him taking cracks with Leinster’s big boys. Former Welsh forward Scott Gibbs was in awe.
The greatest joy was seeing an Irish forward running into space and not bodies. It is no coincidence that Nigel Carolan – Connacht’s Academy maestro – is coaching this young team.
Deegan came into this set up as a lad who felt he had what it takes. The Irish coaching staff and his teammates have added their support and now he knows.
He has delivered against the Grand Slam winners and defending world champions. He claimed his second man-of-the-match accolade with his excellent showing tonight.
He won’t really care if he gets a third but Irish fans will know that if he does, we should have World U20 Champions.
The summer of his summer can be spent coaxing that goatee into the world, poor thing.
