Rugby making friends, and progress, in Waterford

These are good times to be a rugby follower in Waterford. For so long a devoted minority in the hurling-obsessed Déise, proponents of the oval ball are steadily making an impact, not just on the sport beyond its borders but also on the young athletes within.

As much as Jack O’Donoghue’s call into Ireland’s Six Nations squad a fortnight ago brought cheer to beleaguered Munster supporters province-wide, there were none quite so overjoyed as the faithful in his home county.

Participation numbers in minis and youths sections across Waterford are on the rise, at a thriving Waterford City, Dungarvan RFC, O’Donoghue’s home club Waterpark RFC, and Tramore RFC, a club founded for children in the seaside town in December 2013. Munster Rugby are also making inroads at the county’s primary and secondary schools, many of them still hurling strongholds.