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Dylan Donnellan at the Leinster captain's run on Friday. Ben Brady/INPHO

'It’s a fantastic story' - From AIL and day job to Leinster debut

Dylan Donnellan earned his provincial bow against the Sharks.

WHILE SATURDAY’S UNITED Rugby Championship clash between Leinster and the Sharks at the RDS was a landmark 100th appearance for their dependable back-row star Max Deegan, it was also a special day for a player that is familiar to followers of the domestic game in Ireland.

Set to turn 29 in December, Clontarf hooker Dylan Donnellan was visiting a customer as part of his day job as a technical sales specialist in Lennox Laboratory Supplies last Monday when he suddenly received a call asking him to come into the Leinster set-up as cover for the injured John McKee.

With Dan Sheehan and Ronan Kelleher yet to be reintegrated back into the squad following Ireland’s World Cup campaign, he was immediately brought into the matchday 23 for the province’s first home game of the season and was introduced in place of Lee Barron on 67 minutes.

A native of Galway who has also represented Corinthians and Lansdowne in the All-Ireland League, Donnellan has had spells in the professional game in the past with Biarritz Olympique in France and Yorkshire Carnegie in England. Leinster head coach Leo Cullen had previously looked towards the AIL for their friendly encounter against Chile last November and was glad to be able to give Donnellan his provincial bow on Saturday.

“Dylan has done a pre-season with us in the past and it was amazing to see him out there today. He was ready. Always be ready for when the opportunity arises! It’s a fantastic story,” Cullen remarked in the media room at the RDS after Saturday’s game.

“We just mentioned there about Clontarf and the role they play in that as well. I was talking to their head coach Andy Wood during the week. They do a great job, run a great programme and fantastic to see someone like Dylan be able to step in at this level.”

Interestingly, Barron and Donnellan weren’t the only Leinster players to fulfil the duties of a hooker over the course of their 34-13 bonus point victory at the weekend. Much like Josh van der Flier against Scotland in this year’s Six Nations Championship, openside flanker Scott Penny was tasked with being a stand-in line-out thrower while Barron was in the sin-bin at the start of the second half.

A Harry Byrne penalty ensured Leinster had extended their lead to 15-3 by the time Barron had returned and Rob Russell subsequently bagged the first of his two tries on the night seconds after entering the fray as a 53rd minute replacement.

Cullen was pleased with the way his players dealt with their temporary numerical disadvantage in the third-quarter and, having lost out to Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun Stadium in their opening game six days earlier, he was also glad to get up and running in the new URC campaign.

“I think we managed that period when we were down to 14 men well. Scott Penny was throwing the ball into the line-out when we were down a hooker and with seven forwards. We managed that pretty well. Harry gets a penalty and then we get back up the other end of the field pretty well and Rob Russell scores that try,” Cullen added.

“Lots of good stuff in the game and plenty for us to get better at, that’s probably what we need to go after. It was good to be off the mark and we’ve got some points on the board now, which is good. Last weekend was a pretty frustrating performance for us.

“It was a frustrating day for the lads, but plenty of good learnings. It has been a short week this week and the lads have worked hard this week. A much better performance across the board as well.”

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    Mute Dermot Mc Loughlin
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    Jan 25th 2013, 4:55 PM

    The Roy Keane.
    Someone who hasn’t grasped the idea that 5 aside football is normally just for a bit of craic with mates midweek and there are no medals handed out at the end but plays and shouts like it’s the champions league final and is still fuming and talking about it 3 days later.

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    Mute Discopants
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    Jan 25th 2013, 5:59 PM

    The Gaelic Footballer.
    Doesn’t get the idea of a one-two, thinks short passing is a waste of time and likes belting the ball as hard as he can up the other end of the pitch. Never lets you out of the corner; in fact runs full belt at you and tries to kill you. Loves to drop the shoulder, especially when challenging for the ball near the side wall. Short shorts, big arse, hugely enthusiastic, often whoops, but never gets asked back again.

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    Mute Mark O'Brien
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    Jan 25th 2013, 6:11 PM

    Classic

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    Mute Shane O'Regan
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    Dec 30th 2013, 3:48 PM

    Also will never pass the ball backwards.

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    Mute Mark O'Brien
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    Jan 25th 2013, 5:52 PM

    The better brother of a guy who made it professionaly. The only reason this guy didn’t was because of the drink. ‘Could have played with Celtic’. Slaughters you for 10 minutes then has a coronary for 50 minutes.

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    Mute Martayyy
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    Jan 25th 2013, 8:05 PM

    The Pro….
    Struts onto the turf with the newest gear out, under armour and hairband, first touch of a donkey but counts every goal scored week in week out (I’ve 30 goals in astro this season) and to top it off asks around after the game does anybody know of a good physio cuz he’s feeling a bit tight in the groin….

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    Mute Mick Stafford
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    Dec 27th 2014, 11:14 AM

    Eh, what’s up with the dates on people’s comments – they’re all over the shop!?

    The sub…

    Usually one of the lads sons who come along to get him outta the house so the mother can catch up on Corrie. He’s probably around 12-14 years old. He’ll go in goals so “no hard shots lads, sure he’s only a chap!’ Which is a distinct advantage. He’ll turn out to be amazing and no matter how hard you hit it, he’ll dive full length, collecting the ball in mid flight, a few somersaults and rolls and he’s off up the pitch, nutmegging and steps overs to bate tha band before sticking it in the top corner. As he walks back up the pitch, he’s given a little reminder of what age group of lads he’s actually playing with and someone decides to ‘soften his cough’ by ‘puttin a pup in him’ which ultimately results in a screaming kid rolling around all ‘ronaldo-esque’ with a shoving match between his dad and the offending individual. But all is settled with a few pints in the local with the young lad sippin a lemonade and chompin on a packet o’ Tatyo texting his mates with indecipherable gobbledegook about the dinosaurs he’s destroyed earlier….!

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    Mute Ciaran Purdy
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    Dec 30th 2013, 3:59 PM

    The john terry… He’s around shagging your missus while your not at home

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    Mute Glen Brien
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    Jan 25th 2013, 5:44 PM

    The peter bonetti…..The keeper who is like a cat in 5 a side goals… But gets caught out on the big pitch!

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    Mute Ben Whyte
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    Jan 25th 2013, 6:29 PM

    The Heart – possesses all the drive, will and spirit a manager could ever ask of a player. Shows up every week and runs himself into the ground but ultimately has two left shins

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    Mute Fin Tastic
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    Jan 25th 2013, 7:25 PM

    Also known as the Zinedine Kilbane. Which would make it 2 right shins.

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    Mute Peter Mulcahy
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    Dec 30th 2013, 2:36 PM

    The Deer
    Happy out chasing fellas and the ball. Gets caught in the headlights upon receiving said ball

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    Mute John Maughan
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    Jan 25th 2013, 8:02 PM

    The Hub

    This is the guy who believes that the only good pass is a pass to him – generally loud and persistent.

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    Mute John Figo Flynn
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    Jan 26th 2013, 10:06 AM

    The had trials ……
    The muppet who was been chased by utd and Liverpool as a kid but wanted to do his leaving first! Turns out to be crap and then blames pitch,ball,lighting,his team,his footwear,drink from last night,injury……..

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    Mute Fran Heavey
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    Dec 30th 2013, 2:49 PM

    He wouldve made it if it wasnt for the drink…….

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    Mute Graham Carrick
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    Jan 26th 2013, 8:54 AM

    Forgot the dreaded “toy boy”. Shows up in the full Real Madrid kit with sparkling new green Astro boots wearing a head bank and gold cross around his neck. Cries off injured after 5 mins as everyone realises he’s awful.

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    Mute Sean Barber
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    Dec 30th 2013, 3:04 PM

    For whatever reason somebody has pulled out due to “work”, always the same person, and the only replacement is another players son or nephew. The next 60 minutes involve getting nutmegged repeatedly and chasing his shadow.

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    Mute Mike Carey
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    Dec 31st 2013, 12:37 AM

    The Rainman – really sweaty guy, with wet marks on chest, armpits, groin after 20secs of play. Spray of water in his wake and if you make any contact with, you may actually drown. Drinks out of everyone’s bottles and is a consistent back washer!! In a nutshell, wet!!

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    Mute Keith Houchen
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    Dec 30th 2013, 11:37 PM

    Nothing else happened except my goal… You’ve hammered him 17 3 but he’s scored a good goal… Maybe the best goal of the game but he’s otherwise been abysmal…. He ruffles your keepers head as you leave and tells him… Ha you won’t forget that one in a hurry…. You meet him in a boozer five nights later and he makes you lose the will to live jabbering on about it

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    Mute Aul lads at funerals
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    Jan 29th 2013, 9:58 AM

    “he takes a first touch that’s heavier than a black hole” – you my friend need to get a script writing role for Jim Beglin! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKw3EO3xpQc (1.22, in the best video ever produced by RTE)

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    Mute John Sexton
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    Dec 31st 2013, 3:49 AM

    The sweaty guy. Starts pumpin after 5 mins. Or the football cogs guy. Catches ure ankle with a stud and just says ‘oh sorry, you alrite ?’ As he jogs on.

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    Mute Anthony O'Donovan
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    Dec 31st 2013, 11:45 AM

    The Heather Mills. Can only pass/shoot with one foot which makes him as easy to read, can also be called the Roald Dahl.

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