Brian Deeny: From Wexford wannabe to Leinster lock

U20 colleagues Jack Crowley, Cian Prendergast and Joe McCarthy have already played for Ireland but Deeny’s immediate priority will be to add to his seven club appearances while the internationals are away on Six Nations business.

PRODUCTION LINE: Brian Deeny of Leinster. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Few of us get to meet our childhood heroes. Less again are lucky enough to avail of a front-row seat as our sporting gods put on a show. Brian Deeny was afforded that very opportunity as a budding Gaelic footballer.

The Leinster lock was still in primary school when his native Wexford were competing in Leinster finals and All-Ireland semi-finals in the big ball code and Matty Forde was the superstar forward shooting the lights out on any given Sunday.