How Moss Keane was at the epicentre of a changing Ireland

The presence of players in the squad who grew up playing both GAA and rugby is a reminder of the changes in Irish society over recent decades, writes Paul Rouse.

Right at the beginning of Moss Keane’s autobiography, Rucks, Mauls and Gaelic Football (written with Billy Keane), there is a story about the day he won his first cap for Ireland.

It was a Saturday in January 1974 and he was in the dressing room of the glorious Parc des Princes stadium. Ray McLoughlin, the prop forward, called him into the corner for a quiet word a few minutes before the teams had gone out onto the field.