It’s been a pretty good Tuesday for Rory O’Loughlin.
He’s graduated from the Leinster Academy and, oh, he got a call-up to the Ireland squad too.
Having just burst onto the scene this season, the centre who can also play on the wing has turned a serious amount of heads but a breakthrough with the province is the most he would even have dared to ask for.
Then came the phone call from Joe Schmidt.
Here's the Ireland squad in full for @USARugby & @JRFURugby Summer Tour #TeamOfUs #ShoulderToShoulder pic.twitter.com/bRL6GIn2kZ
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) May 16, 2017
Ireland have named eight uncapped players for their games against USA and Japan but O’Loughlin’s reaction to his own call-up was so pure and charming.
- He hadn’t even told anybody yet when he was talking to the media about it.
- He admitted he was delighted for the whole day as he tried to make sense of it.
- The Leinster achievement was the dream he was after this year.
- Now he has the opportunity to fulfill a childhood ambition with his country.
His interview was pure honest as he tried to put it into words.
“I found out yesterday and I’ve been absolutely delighted since, to be honest. It hasn’t really sunk in at all,” O’Loughin told Leinster Rugby in a brilliant interview.
“I don’t even think many people know yet so I’m sure my phone will be ringing off the hook for the next day.
“It’s hard to believe. At the start of the season, to say I would’ve played over 10 times for Leinster, I would’ve been absolutely delighted.
“To get a chance to represent Ireland… it’s a goal you have from the very first time you see Ireland play – when I was four or five. So to have the opportunity to potentially get a game for Ireland this summer is incredible.”
Sport needs more of these guys coming through with pure innocence.
WATCH: We spoke to @thelock112 about being named in the @IrishRugby squad at today's Academy Graduation ceremony. #FromTheGroundUp pic.twitter.com/9SVH7P9bt0
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) May 16, 2017
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