WHEN IRELAND CONFIRMED their 32-man squad for the upcoming U20 Six Nations, many Connacht fans would have raised their eyebrows at seeing just a single representative of the western province included.
Back row Sean Masterson is that man and he will be on the bench for Noel McNamara’s side as they open their championship tomorrow against France in Bordeaux [KO 8pm Irish time, RTÉ 2].
While having just one of their players in the U20s’ set-up would suggest that the pipeline in Connacht is in poor condition, Masterson knows better than most that there is more talent coming through in the west.
He feels that but for untimely injuries to other Connacht players – including Ireland U19 international Corey Reid – the province could possibly have had three more players in this U20s squad.
“It’s not a bad reflection on Connacht at all,” says Corinthians RFC man Masterson, but he will be flying the flag for his province alone during the next seven weeks in what is his second season as an Ireland U20 player.
A highly-ambitious young man who is now part of Connacht’s academy, Masterson has good role models around him, including older brother Eoghan – who is part of Kieran Keane’s senior Connacht squad and an inspiration to Sean.
“Big time. Since I was young, I suppose, I have always looked up to him,” says Masterson. “He captained the Leinster U18s and captained the Irish Youths.
“I used to look at him and think, ‘Jeez, this looks alright.’ He made it look easier than it is but I decided to put my mind to doing those things as well.
“I have always wanted to match what he has done. So far, so good! At U20 level, he didn’t play a year young and I have. He has made a good pathway for me and he’s doing well for himself as well.”
The Masterson boys are Portlaoise-born, with their Scottish father, Pat, having allowed Eoghan to represent a second nation at U20 level.
While both Masterson boys initially played for Leinster’s representative sides, Sean explains that having a Westport-born mother, Anne, meant the west was always calling.
“Since I was young, I always thought I was from the west, if you know what I mean,” says Masterson, who is now based in Galway. “We have a house in Westport. I am often there and I have cousins up there.
“It is a lot easier to go from Galway to Mayo than to Portlaoise. We grew up in Portlaoise because my mother worked as a Garda and my Dad was a bricklayer and he followed my mother to Portlaoise, then he got a job as a prison officer.
“They are retiring now at the minute and they’re thinking of moving to Mayo eventually.”
Masterson was capped by the Ireland U20s last year but as he explains it wasn’t the happiest experience.
“I got called in late [during the Six Nations] because Fineen Wycherley was playing for Munster.
“I was on the bench against the French. I came on after about 60 minutes and two minutes later I got a yellow card.
“But I got to the World Cup. I came off the bench in the first game, started against Scotland and New Zealand. Then, I got injured halfway through that game and my campaign was over there and then.”
Masterson will hope to force his way into the starting U20s side as this championship develops, but his experience will come in useful either way.
As Ireland get set to go up against the French tomorrow, the Connacht man wants to see an intelligent performance from himself and his team-mates.
“If we front up physically, we always say that we are a smarter team. Technically, we can outwork them and, hopefully, the win will come.”
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Dare I say it, an Irishman in the Champions League? He fully deserves it. Great to see the likes of himself and McCarthy making progress with a strong team like Everton.
More than Premier League out there Guys , Anthony Stokes has started for Celtic this season in Champions League. GET YOUR FACTS RIGHT !
Thats true, but I meant “Irishman” as in someone who plays regularly for the Irish soccer team. I know Stokes is both eligible and has played a few games recently, but he hasn’t played a game for Ireland with anything at stake for years. It’s like that young Irish Man City keeper. He went to Plzen for their CL game there. I wouldn’t say he’s playing in the CL, just like, prior to two dead rubbers against Germany and Kazakhstan, Stokes didn’t feature for years.
Obviously lots of blinkered Premier League “Fans” on here , I just corrected a incorrect statement
Traps dropped him for no reason , FFS he setup wee James Forrest and Celtic in the Final Qualifier this season.
The great brainwashed EPL Brigade are out in force….
The facts are Anthony Stokes who has 8 Full Irish Caps 4 of which were won this season ,
Source http://www.fai.ie/international/senior-men/30-anthony-stokes.html
He has played 10 times this season in the Champions League , 5 qualifiers and 5 in CL Proper
Source http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2014/clubs/player=74715/
Just accept it …..
And when were the other 4? I didn’t suggest he is a poor player and from the performances he put in during the last four caps, he deserved to be in the squad. I meant “Irishman” as in regular Irish player, not 8 caps in just under 7 years, but I know I didn’t explicitly state that. As for EPLcentric comments, the article is about a Prem player. If I made the comment about McGeady, wojld that make me a Russian soccer snob. Pull your head out.
“Dare I say it, an Irishman in the Champions League? ” This is clearly a false untrue statement and you along with the other 131 who liked the comment are idiots for not accepting you were wrong
He’s clearly trying to back out of it by adding on that ridiculous explanation
Right, if a light humoured, albeit poorly explained remark is causing an arguement, I fully retract that statement. I shall replace it with “Dare I say it, an Irishman (that has played regularly for the past 15 months despite a bonkers manager and plays in the premier league, which is not an important factor but does make followers of the SPL a little annoyed when someone mentions it) playing in the champions league?” If any sarcasm or possible inferences are not clearly stated, please let me know.
Stokes is a stocking,very average player in a poor league……not good enough for the epl
Poor League Yeah , When is the last time a Premier League team have beaten Barcelona , Read it an weep – More Rubbish from EPL Barstool Fan
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/nov/07/celtic-barcelona-champions-league-report
Im not a fan of the epl to be honest,just have an interest in football,stokes not good enough for arsenal, fair enough,but couldnt cut it at Sunderland……I say again poor player in a poor league,and its not that long ago that Chelsea beat Barcelona if memory serves…..
Again with the EPL bashing! If you going to trash about irrelevant stats, when was the last time a Scottish team won the CL or made it to the semis for that matter? The very fact that there are four slots allocated to EPL teams and only two (or three, not certain) for the SPL is based on EPL teams being more successful in the tournament. But by virtue of defending the EPL, I am now going to be called a blinkered barstool fan?
Barstooler? Aren’t Irish fans that support celtic barstoolers???? If every muppet on here went n supported league of Ireland then scots league wud be same standard as ours. Same population as ours so no reason why not. Our country is only one in europe that is obsessed with foreign leagues, embarrassing . FACT
Delighted Coleman is finally getting recognition he deserves! He’s Ireland’s most consistent player and week in, week out in the Premier League he plays well! Am an Arsenal fan and Sagna has been brilliant for us, but if he goes this is a more than capable replacement if it happens!
Feck of I’m a blue and he’s staying!!!
Dare I say it but maybe not yet? To be a game changer in Everton or a utility player in arsenal ?
Fair point, its like everything I suppose its a gamble. Look at Steven Carr when he was at spurs, best full back in the league but never moved to the biggest club. Linked but nothing ever happened. What I will say about Coleman is that I think he’s got a mean streak in him, a bit of hardness about him that would make me think that if he did move he could step up the grade
No coincidence that this comes out the same weekend Arsenal play an inform Everton. Wenger has a habit of doing that
10 million is a bargain for Coleman. Should be at least 15-20 million.
As much as I’d like him to progress , I like the Irish connection that’s coming together at Everton
I would love to see him go right to the top,but look at how things have gone for Fellani at old trafford,moving to a big club,Not always a goodcareer move
Good point Gerard… but I think coleman a real gem.. fellaini not in the same class at all
As a united fan I’d love to get him… watched him with sligo and now with Everton and believe he can be the best to play for Ireland yet…what a talent
Future Irish captain!
Already captained us. Oops. Am I due an avalanche of red thumbs too?
He’s the type of player arsenal need, a defender with a bit of fight and not afraid to move forward. If Everton get champions league football I think e10m might not be enough to lure him to London.
Tough to know if this would be a good move for him; no doubt that training znd playing with ozil, ramsey and others would certainly improve him, but would he pay every game? If he spends half his time on bench would be better of at a good Everton team
If he had a name like Colemani or Colemanez I’d be more likely to believe it
Absolutely true ; anyway if Everton are able to resist Man Utd over Baines, they should be just as keen to keep Coleman from Arsenal. Coleman has far more importance for Everton than he would have for Arsenal.
Its only made up sunday paper drivel so i wouldnt pay attention to it
Great player
10 million?! Granted Baines is probably the most productive full back in the league but surely Coleman is worth 15 to 20 million, defensively sound and serious pace going forward
Coleman and Mccarthy are very good footballers, but they are now becoming so overrated by the Irish media.
MU could do with Coleman….Rafael is useless!!!!