‘Community was pivotal in terms of my future in sports’

Former international athlete David Gillick says nurturing is at the heart of Irish sport; for Team Ireland’s Jordan Conroy the sense of inclusion joining Tullamore Rugby Club gave him was life changing, writes Colm Greaves

Jordan Conroy: 'I felt like I belonged somewhere. I wanted to continually come back, make more friends, build more connections.' Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho

In order to grow a beautiful flower from scratch, first find a good seed and store it somewhere dry. 

Then, but only when the time is right, plant it tenderly in a pot of rich and fertile soil. Place the pot in a warm, bright setting, keep it watered and then stand back and wait.