O’Rourke sticks to looking after Number One as Royals turn focus to Kildare

Three years ago, Meath opened their Leinster championship campaign against Kildare at Croke Park, and Paddy O’Rourke was thrown the number 14 jersey. Fear and self-doubt consumed him.

Naturally enough, he kept his emotions to himself, but he felt out of his depth pulling on the same jersey that his uncle, Colm, and cousin, Shane, had both worn to such good effect at different stages before him.

Thankfully, that sojourn on the edge of the opposition’s square was brief.