TADHG FURLONG IS urging the young players from the township of Alexandra in Johannesburg to get stuck into Peter O’Mahony.
The Ireland captain is holding a tackle bag as the teenagers from one of the poorest areas in South Africa leather into him in a rucking drill.
“Do him!” demands Furlong, loving it all. “Do him!”
The young guns from the Queens and Alex clubs don’t need to be told twice as a group of Ireland forwards give words of encouragement.
Down the other end of the pitch, some of Ireland’s backs are doing handling drills and playing tip rugby with the young men from the nearby Alexandra.
The session is being run by the School of Hard Knocks, a non-profit group who use sport to help young South Africans improve their mental and emotional wellbeing. SOHK works closely with the Irish Embassy in South Africa, who have also been key in organising this event.
The Irish players are in their element. They’ve been cooped up in a luxury hotel in the neighbourhood of Sandton, one of the richest parts of South Africa and situated right beside Alexandra.
The Irish players have been warned not to stray from the hotel because of security concerns. It’s a dull existence, so getting out into the sun with enthusiastic young South Africans and having a bit of fun is an ideal antidote. More importantly, it’s part of such a worthy cause.
It’s obvious what it means to the young players from Alexandra. There aren’t many people who can make Peter O’Mahony so happy by driving a shoulder into him.
“We speak about it in Ireland, we’re always trying to inspire young kids and inspire the nation,” says Ireland hooker Rob Herring, a native of South Africa.
“The Springboks would probably be their idols and for us to come down, even if we can inspire a few kids to try take rugby seriously, and all the work the foundation is doing around mental health and gender-based violence. If we can be a positive role model in any way, then why not come down to try it out.”
Before the Ireland players arrive, one of the School of Hard Knocks coaches, Urshwin Engel, leads the warm-up. Engel grew up in a Cape Town community that was affected by gang violence but now does important work with young South Africans.
He leads a warm-up chant: “I know I can be what I wanna be. If I work hard at it, I’ll be where I want to be.”
This session is part of a programme called NXTGENMEN that focuses on young men’s mental health and gender-based violence, which is a major problem in South Africa.
So after they have the fun training, SOHK lead young men in specific mental health sessions addressing such issues.
The Ireland players obviously aren’t involved in that on their visit to train with the lads from Alexandra, but they’re just happy to help out.
“We’re only here for a short period but to see smiles on people’s faces and if we can share a story or two with the kids here to make a change in their life, it’s such a positive thing to do,” says Herring.
“It’s a real privilege to be able to do that.”
Why does he have to say sorry ?? He was attacked left right and centre not only by the media, but also the fans and supporters. He gets blamed for everything, gets put in a position that is not meant for his playing role, still not good enough even do be set up a goal and scored one. He played better then most of the English team besides Stearling(if that’s how you spell his name). Steven Gerrard was utter shite this WC, was anything said ? No because all the focus was left on Rooney.
Gerrard to blame for both defeats. No sign of apology from him
Blame game is the default reaction from people both fans and journalists who have never achieved anything in football . No one is to blame . They weren’t good enough. They haven’t been good enough since 1970 . Demanding apologies is nonsense .
He is apologising to the real fans of English football. Not the vultures in the media or the keyboard warriors on the Internet.
@Gravy, I take your point and agree with you. However I don’t believe any apology is due or necessary. The players went out and tried to perform. They were beaten . These things happen in sport . Move on .
It’s not all about one player
I’ve been reading this report all morning from different outlets and I ask myself why is he the one apologising !!!Where’s the Captain????
because he is the captain, well should be.
In all fairness, he does get a rough time from media but the real Utd fans have stuck by him. Great player but few seem to know where to play him??
You’re right in saying Gerard was poor too..
I think England went into the tournament in good shape. There wasnt massive pressure on them and I taught with the pace they had they would score goals. Roy Hodgson has to take the blame as Gerrard and Henderson didnt work I midfield and the two centre halves made silly mistakes! Missed opportunity!
Not enough being said about Hodgson. The man is a bluffer and it was his tactics, or lack thereof, which cost England. He wouldn’t win a game with a team of Messi’s.
Unjustly Booed by his own fans, he has nothing to apologise for. England should make him captain and play him in his proper position permanently to improve things.. Or he should pack in internationals altogether.
Milner didn’t even get a look in.. Should’ve saved the experiment (Sterling, Barkley, Lallana) for the tired legs in the Italy match and gone with the experience of Milner on either wing, knows his job and never strays from it. Would’ve offered far more than Rooney in that position who should’ve been central.. Welbeck starting was comical..
Im just glad they are knocked out. Just proves the standard of English players are over rated and over hyped by the English and Irish media.