Donal Lenihan: Bare-footed All Blacks - how the iconic Barrett brothers found their feet in Meath

A Corkman’s chance encounter helped bring New Zealand’s Barrett family to Ireland — a story that still links both rugby nations

TARANAKI TERRORS: From the left, All Black brothers Jordie, Beauden Barrett and Scott Barrett pose in their provincial Taranaki jerseys in 2017. Pic: Phil Walter/Getty Images

MAKING the transition from schools to adult rugby can be challenging but I retain fond memories of my first foray into that cauldron.

Having just led CBC to Munster Schools Cup glory, I gave a commitment to local club Old Christians that I would play for them in the Dennehy Cup, a well-established early-season competition that still operates to this day, before joining UCC once the college year commenced.