Unlikely Red Farrell feeling extra fortunate to get a second crack at Croker 

The former Connacht man looked France-bound this summer. Instead he'll be making his return to GAA HQ in front of a much larger crowd this time around 

WET AND WILD: Munster’s Tom Farrell gets stuck in during the BKT United Rugby Championship clash with Ospreys at  Virgin Media Park, Cork. Pic INPHO/James Crombie

If Tom Farrell’s only appearance at Croke Park had been for St Brigid’s Castleknock at Cumann na mBunscoil that would have been fine. Which makes running out onto the hallowed turf at GAA HQ in front of 75,000-plus rugby supporters an added bonus following his summer move to Munster.

That Farrell, 31, is at Munster at all was not by design. Nor is it an accident. The former Leinster academy centre’s path could have taken him to France after Connacht cut him loose after seven years in Galway at the end of last season.