IT’S A LONG way from Tipperary, says Scotland’s newest fly-half Ben Healy as he prepares to face South Africa in their Rugby World Cup opener on Sunday.
Healy made over 50 appearances for Munster, including kicking four conversions in their historic 28-14 win over a South African selection in Pairc Ui Chaoimh in November 2022.
However, being Scottish qualified through his mother Maria (born in England to two Scottish parents), he made the switch to Edinburgh and was subsequently named in Gregor Townsend’s squad for the Six Nations. He made his debut in the final game against Italy.
He admitted this week that the turn of events has caught him somewhat by surprise.
“When I look back on it, I say ‘Wow!’ said Healy.
“It’s a big change. It’s a long way from Tipperary. But a year or two down the line I’m sure I’ll be saying the same thing again because things change a lot and very quickly in rugby.”
His family will be in France to cheer him on. While his mother was born in England, she moved back to the Scottish town of Turriff, 30 miles from Aberdeen, while still at nursery age. His father, Fergal, played for Young Munster and Nenagh Ormond.
The connection is a real one. As he explained in a previous interview, he has been eating haggis his whole life.
“They will be coming out and they will be going back and forth. They are fully behind Scotland, there’s no question about that,” he said.
The breathtaking pace of change has also been good for him.
“It’s really exciting, it flies by, it just all passes so quickly. Sometimes you get a chance to reflect but every week there’s a new challenge and something to look forward to and that’s where your focus is on.
“It’s nice to look at the big picture every now and again to see where you have come from and where you are going.
“For instance, this week we have the world champions (South Africa) in the opening game of a Rugby World Cup so each week there’s usually an individual focus, but when I do look back it will be on a great time in my career.”
R.I.P. gone to that Grandstand in the sky.
The voice of many moments of sports history.
To be honest A question of Sport was never the same without him when he left .
Class Commentator with a strong Irish connection – called some great and famous events – set such a high standard for his craft !
A fantastic voice to listen to,one of those unique ones that you would pick out in an instant without seeing a face. may he RIP.Ya kinda know you’re getting old yourself when you remember all these fantastic commentators from the pre SKY Sports era,the likes of Dickie Davis,John Motson,Jimmy Hill,Ian St John and Jimmy Greaves. Used to love the Saint and Greavsie show,ah happy memories come flooding back to simpler times. I’ll finish with one of his legendary gaffes,made me smile,hope it does the same for you. “And here’s Moses Kiptanui – the 19-year-old Kenyan who turned 20 a few weeks ago”.
Don’t forget oul harry carpenter. .another with a remarkably distinctive voice.
And Bill Mc Laren, and Peter O Sullivan. The BBC produced sone great commentators.
RIP shur we all grew up with him.
He was a great commentator, he could make a boring match exciting.
My dad says he remembers watching a program in 1964 called sportsnight on BBC and the TV picture was very fuzzy the host was David Coleman.
A word way over used these days but he is a true legend
Class act. R.I.P.
RIP another ledgendary BBC commentator….
His name lives on in Colmanballs at the Private Eye
Very distinctive commentator. Reminded me of Brian Moore, another class act.
The BBC/ITV have been blessed with some great commentators down through the years, Dan Maskell, David Coleman, Brian Moore, Ted Lowe, John Motson, Barry Davies, David Vine, Tony Gubba, and Murray Walker to name a few. David Coleman was one of the greats, and is yet another one of the great commentators now no longer with us, may he rest in peace. Finally for those who know their commentators, this is a list of the top ten commentators of all time as voted by readers of the Daily Mail in 2009.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/article-1131862/THE-LIST-10-1-favourite-sports-commentators-time.html.
Grandstand on Saturday was brilliant,a great commentator,rest In peace.
“Don’t tell those coming in on the final result of that fantastic match, but let’s just have another look at Italy’s winning goal.”
R.I.P David, many great commentaries over the years.