Wexford man Brian Deeny is aware that this is his big chance. He has reached the holy grail and is grabbing at it with both hands…
Last week, the former Wexford Wanderers man was offered his first senior contract by Leinster who aims to turn him into the latest of the world-class stars on their roster. He knows that it’s a privileged position.
“I was kinda nervous coming back from my injury that I wouldn’t have enough game time to prove myself but lucky enough I did. When I got told I was over the moon because it’s something I’ve worked so hard for. Finally achieving it just put everything in perspective.”
Not everyone is so lucky. The reason Leinster closed the gap and eventually surpassed their Munster neighbours was down to a world-class academy.
The cream of the crop from the 12 counties and beyond are tried and tested in a production line where the tiniest faults are ironed out or cast aside ruthlessly.
There must be something pretty special about Brian for the Blues to put their plans on hold and wait a year and a half for him to come back. An ACL injury right from the word ‘go’ meant Brian’s first extended stay on the treatment table.
“I was never really injured before when I was coming up. Then at my first training session with the Seniors I tore my ACL and was out for a combined 18 months. All I could do was talk to Ed (Byrne) and Dan (Leavy) about how they got back from their injuries. I had a great physio as well Darragh Curley. He helped me to focus on other things like college and my friends. Obviously, Covid hit as well so I was spending a lot of time at home with my parents which I wouldn’t have been able to do before. I was just taking the positives out of a bad situation.”
Brian is well used to dealing with pressure. He’s a Grand Slam winner with the Irish Under 20s after all but now there was a new kind of weight to bear. Officials were deciding whether to keep him around and there were more eyes on his training than ever. It’s understandable then that he would feel more anxious while trying to get back to normal.
“Coming back, you are more nervous because you might end up doing it again. That’s something you have to overcome. You also have to recognise when you’re going through a bad patch as well. Sometimes you’re doing strength testing and the results aren’t what you want. Darragh could see it when I was coming in and I was a bit off. He’s excellent so he was able to tamper the rehab to suit me. That made it more enjoyable even though it was very tough,” Deeny stated.
He made it through the dark times and came out a stronger person on the other side. Management were happy enough with the recovery to throw him straight into preseason in a match that was anything but friendly against reigning Premiership champions Harlequins. This was his chance and he impressed not only those in charge but himself as well.
“Before in training, everything kinda fell into place and the niggles I was having just faded away. I was nervous facing such a good team but during the game, I just felt comfortable. I knew I had done the work to ensure I was going to do well. It was a relief to have Dev (Devin Toner) alongside me as well. He’s an expert at line calling and on the field of play so that took the pressure. I knew whatever decision he made, I could follow. I’d look up to him because I’m tall but he’s huge, and it really helped me get back.”
Deeny is used to playing alongside some big names of course. He has lined up beside Irish international Ryan Baird along with Leinster and Munster regulars Scott Penny and Josh Wycherley for the Under 20s and as a former St Peter’s boy, he played football with a certain Rory O’Connor. Known more for his small ball work, Brian says it was obvious that the St Martins man was going places.
“When I was in 5th year we won the Leinster senior championship and I was midfield with Rory. He was just class. I wasn’t much of a footballer so I was told to do the man-marking while Rory was off doing his job. You could say that I was doing the dog work while Rory was getting the scores. Peter’s was great though. It’s got that family atmosphere, a bit like Leinster because it’s a brotherhood,” he said.
With the contract signed and delivered, attention now turns to following in the footsteps of fellow Model county men Tadhg Furlong, Josh Murphy and Temi Lasisi and getting a cap in the URC. Unfortunately, shoulder surgery in November has once again put Brian’s plans on the back burner but he’s determined. After the setbacks he’s suffered, you can back Brian to make a huge impact.
By Aidan Delaney
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