It has been a rollercoster ride for the Ireland Under-20s team since the World Cup began back in June. After drawing 34-34 against England in a swashbuckling opener, they put on a dominant display against Australia in their next game to take control of the group.
However, just before their final group game they were hit with a sucker punch as news came through that two St Michael’s College students had died tragically on the Greek island of Ios.
With six former Michael’s boys – Henry McErlean, James Nicholson, Sam Berman, Fintan Gunne, Conor O’Tighearnaigh and Dan Barron – in the extended squad, it struck close to home.
To compound things, former Development Officer with the Munster Rugby Academy, Greg Oliver died after a paragliding incident in South Africa.