In our latest Talking Sport podcast, we catch up with Portlaoise brothers Eoghan and Sean Masterson, who are now full-time professional rugby players with Connacht.
In a wide-ranging discussion, we chat about their early memories playing with Portlaoise, how Eoghan was capped at U-20 level by Scotland and how he earned a contract with Connacht and has been with them now for the past eight seasons.
Five years younger, Sean followed in Eoghan’s footsteps, though he represented Ireland at all underage grades and has recently graduated from an Academy to a senior contract with Connacht.
As the game plans a comeback following the Coronavirus restrictions, Eoghan talks about how he hopes to be capped by Ireland and the various players and coaches they have played with.
They also discuss coming through the club system to reach the professional ranks rather than schools and why more and more players are beginning to come that route.
The lads also talk about playing Gaelic football with Park-Ratheniska at underage level.
“I started playing rugby with Portlaoise when I was about five years of age,” says Eoghan, “and it was always my favourite sport from the get go though playing with Park-Ratheniska at U-10, U-12, U-14 was really enjoyable as well.
“I’ve really good memories – though unfortunately we didn’t win too much with my age group – but really good memories, really good friends that I’m still in contact with.”
You can listen to the interview in full here or subscripe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
SEE ALSO – Check out more Podcasts from LaoisToday here
