The biggest roar of the night went to Ian McKinley, a former Leinster player who had finally made it back home.
Ian McKinkley was 21-years-old, and six matches into his Leinster Rugby career, when an unfortunate training ground accident cost him sight in his left eye.
McKinley caught the stud of a stray team-mate’s boot in the eye and the damage done eventually caused him to lose his vision. He was forced to retire from the game at a time when he was tipped to be a long-term rival for Johnny Sexton’s No.10 jersey.
Six years, the discovery of protective playing goggles and protracted legal battles on, McKinley returned to where it all started – Leinster Rugby.
Now a member of the Benetton Treviso squad, McKlinley entered the fray with 20 minutes to go and his team just one score behind. Still, the crowd bellowed and clapped. It was a truly fantastic moment.
Really lovely @leinsterrugby reception for @ianmck7 on his return to the RDS pic.twitter.com/Zb8UgxNpEN
— SportsJOE.ie (@SportsJOEdotie) September 2, 2016
Ultimately, McKlinley and Treviso could not find that crucial score. Leinster got a later try to win 20-8.
He’s back, he was acclaimed – for the battle and for his courage – but now he’ll want to get on with his rugby.
Huge All-Ireland final GAA Hour features an interview with Kilkenny manager Brian Cody. Subscribe here on iTunes.
