New boy O’Brien keen to help Gaels back to winning ways - The Rugby Observer

New boy O’Brien keen to help Gaels back to winning ways

Rugby Editorial 21st Apr, 2017   0

GAELIC FOOTBALL: RUGBY Gaels play their first home game of the season this Sunday at Newbold’s Parkfield Road site when they take on St Joseph’s of Derby and it will also be a home debut for one of the club’s new recruits – Dan O’Brien.

O’Brien was part of Newbold’s remarkable promotion winning side that will play in Rugby Union’s National Division Three next season.

This weekend he will line out in the blue of the Gaels as he swaps sports for the summer period and he is looking forward to getting into the thick of the action.

“I’ve a few mates in Ireland who play and so I l knew the sport and had watched a few games,” said O’Brien.




“I wanted something to do in the summer and so When Mike Cremin (former Gaels Chairman) spoke to me along with Sean Quigley I thought id give it a go.

“It’s a quick paced, challenging sport which requires a varied skill set. It’s also a great way to keep fit during the summer which benefits winter sports such as Rugby.


Asked if he thought there are any crossover skills between Rugby and Gaelic Football, he continued: “I think there is a crossover of skills from several sports involved in Gaelic.

“For example the catching of long and high balls, paired with the punt kicking are almost directly transferred to Rugby. Albeit with a few subtle differences in technique.”

Rugby Gaels have made a positive start to the season having won back-to-back games at the start, but they tasted defeat against Connollys in their most recent match.

And O’Brien is determined to help the team return to winning ways against St Joseph’s this weekend.

He added: “We were very disappointed to lose to Connollys but we’ll put that right later in the season at home.

“Having only played away so far the boys are looking forward to opening our account at home and getting back on track in what what we hope will be a successful season.”

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