Brideswell’s Darragh Murray set for international debut in Georgia

By Rebekah O'Reilly

Bridewell native Darragh Murray is set to take a major step in his rugby journey as he makes his international debut for Ireland.

The 23-year-old, who came through the ranks at Buccaneers RFC and currently stars for Connacht, has been selected on the Ireland team to take on Georgia in the opening fixture of their two-test summer series on Saturday.

The hugely promising, athletic and competitive forward is a native of Lisbrock, near Brideswell. Darragh is a past pupil of St Aloysius College in Athlone and his older brother Niall also plays for Connacht.

Darragh's selection on the Ireland team is a great birthday present as he will turn 24 on Sunday.

Murray is one of two uncapped players named in the team named by head coach Paul O’Connell, with Leinster winger Tommy O’Brien also making his debut.

The game will be played at Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, kicking off at 9pm local time (6pm Irish time), and broadcast live on Virgin Media.

Speaking ahead of the fixture, Paul O’Connell praised the squad’s preparation and highlighted the occasion’s importance for those players making their debut:

"This weekend is an extra special one for six players who are set to make their international debuts. The squad are determined to make it a memorable occasion for them and their families,” said O’Connell.

Ireland team (vs Georgia)

15: Jimmy O’Brien (Naas/Leinster)(8)

14: Tommy O’Brien (UCD/Leinster)*

13: Jamie Osborne (Naas/Leinster)(7)

12: Stuart McCloskey (Bangor/Ulster)(19)

11: Jacob Stockdale (Lurgan/Ulster)(38)

10: Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster)(8)

9: Craig Casey (Shannon/Munster)(captain)(18)

1: Jack Boyle (UCD/Leinster)(2)

2: Gus McCarthy (UCD/Leinster)(4)

3: Thomas Clarkson (Dublin University/Leinster)(6)

4: Cormac Izuchukwu (Ballynahinch/Ulster)(1)

5: Darragh Murray (Buccaneers/Connacht)*

6: Ryan Baird (Dublin University/Leinster)(27)

7: Nick Timoney (Banbridge/Ulster)(3)

8: Gavin Coombes (Young Munster/Munster)(2)

Replacements:

16: Tom Stewart (Ballynahinch/Ulster)(2)

17: Michael Milne (UCD/Munster)*

18: Jack Aungier (Clontarf/Connacht)*

19: Tom Ahern (Shannon/Munster)*

20: Cian Prendergast (UCD/Connacht)(4)

21: Ben Murphy (Clontarf/Connacht)*

22: Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution/Munster)(24)

23: Calvin Nash (Young Munster/Munster)(10)

*denotes uncapped