From minor to major player

On the fourth Sunday in September 1999, Gavin Duffy and James Gill stood in the centre of Croke Park, awaiting the start of the All-Ireland minor football final. Within nine months Duffy would lead Ireland Schools to an unbeaten nine-match tour of Australia while Gill, a former Irish Youths rugby international, was pursuing his career at intercounty level.

Gill has gone on to play for the Mayo seniors while his former team-mate Duffy is one of the most celebrated and promising young players in Irish rugby. They both face important matches in the coming weeks, Gill the All-Ireland under-21 final against Tyrone, Duffy the start of Connacht's European Shield campaign against Narbonne on Friday night.

At 20, Duffy has amassed an impressive sporting curriculum vitae. Hugh Lynn, now the principal of The Quay National School in Ballina, was a central influence in nurturing his passion in sports. "He coached us at everything - rugby, soccer, GAA, even basketball."

Duffy flourished in rugby and Gaelic football. He played both until forced to choose and then opted for rugby but not before a long underage career with the Ballina Stephenites GAA club - he played minor, under-21 and senior football for them - and a day out in Croke Park.

Duffy had been on the Mayo minor team the previous year but in 1999 they accounted for Roscommon, Galway and Cork to earn a tilt at Down in the final.

"I think we lost 1-9 to 0-11. I played midfield with an Irish Youths rugby international, James Gill. I thought we let ourselves down, we under-performed and that was the most disappointing thing.

"You don't mind losing as long as you come off the pitch having given it your best shot. We didn't play well that day. I think we would have been favourites going into the final.

"We won a low-scoring Connacht final against Galway, the conditions were terrible. Going into the Cork game we were written off. People were saying that our forwards couldn't shoot, couldn't score and couldn't pass. We clocked up 2-18 that day against a highly-rated Cork side."

Many of the lads from that final are getting ready to play Tyrone in the under-21 football final next month.

"I'll be hoping that they can go on and win it. I suppose I miss a little bit not being able to play. I used to come back from Roscrea and play during the summer. I still go to as many games as I can and retain a huge interest."

While Duffy's GAA career was put on the back burner, his rugby stock soared. Beaten in a Leinster Schools' Senior Cup final while playing for Cistercian College, Roscrea against Blackrock, he played for two seasons on the Leinster Schools and also for the Ireland Schools.

In the summer of 2000 Duffy captained Ireland an their unbeaten tour of Australia that included a 34-22 success in the final game, the Test match.

He recalls the scenes that greeted the final whistle. "I remember all the lads, whether togged out or not, racing on to the pitch. We stayed on the pitch for an hour afterwards singing songs. It was a brilliant tour on and off the pitch. It was very easy being captain because at various stages guys stood up and led by example."

Now in his second year at UCG, studying accountancy, Duffy's rugby career continues to thrive. A member of the National Academy, he played for Ireland under-21s last season, made his senior debut for Galwegians in the All Ireland League and is now Connacht's first-choice full back.

At school he played outhalf until his first senior year but since then has played inside and outside centre, wing and full back for both club and province.

His preference? "From full back I can see what is going on and because I enjoy running with the ball I can probably spot the gaps a little better. Playing in various positions allows you different perspectives and enables you to learn and develop. It's been a huge benefit. You can read the game a little better if you play different positions."

A modest person, it is hardly surprising that the goals that he has set this season are about personal development.

He maintains he has a great deal still to learn. "I want to try and improve, stay involved with Connacht and if the opportunities arise to play other matches, then I want to be able to grasp that chance."