Local rugby star set for new adventure in the US

Local rugby star Luke Carty is set to embark on a new sporting adventure next year, having signed for the Los Angeles Giltinis ahead of the 2021 season.

A younger brother of Connacht ace and Ireland international Jack, Luke also plays at out-half and has been a key player for Buccaneers for a number of years.

Luke is now set to pursue a professional career in the United States and, as his paternal grandmother was born in New York, he's qualified to play for the USA national team.

From Barrymore in Athlone, the 23-year-old was formerly part of the Connacht academy system. Luke had been due to join the Sydney-based club Gordon earlier this year only for that move to fall through due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Darren Coleman, the manager of the Sydney outfit, has since been appointed as head coach of the new Giltinis club and he was keen for Carty to make the move to the US.

Older brother Jack is very pleased for Luke to get this opportunity in the US.

“I’m delighted for him,” Jack told the42.ie sports website. “The Oz move fell through but we’re American-qualified because my dad’s mum was born there before they came back [to Ireland], so he’s buzzing.

“Anyone who knows Luke knows how much of a good lad he is to be around. He was obviously disappointed not to get continued on with Connacht but I’m buzzing for him.

“There’s a good Irish contingent going over there and a few Aussie internationals, so he’ll be well looked after in the sun in LA. It will be something a lot of rugby players in the world will be envious of.”

Based in Venice Beach, Los Angeles, the Giltinis are named after a premium cocktail. They will play in Major League Rugby for the first time in 2021, with the season set to kick off on March 20.

Irish brothers Harry and Sean McNulty and London Irish centre Billy Meakes are also among those who have signed for the Los Angeles side.

Sons of Susan and Ted Carty, Jack and Luke are former students of Marist College, Athlone. Both of them also excelled in Gaelic football for the Marist and St Brigid's, with both brothers representing Roscommon at underage level, while Luke played for the Marist in a Leinster Schools final at Croke Park.

Younger brother Ben is also a talented rugby player and has played for Buccaneers before moving to Old Belvedere in Dublin.