Meath still has link with rugby world cup

Meath sports enthusiasts can now turn their attention to next week's Rugby World Cup semi-finals and can consider supporting New Zealand who will have a player with Meath links and the experience of playing GAA in their panel.

And yesterday against France, Beauden Barrett (pictured) came on at half-time for the All Blacks as he replaced Nehe Milner-Skudder, slotting in at full back in a rearranged back three and quickly found his rhythm.

As a child, Beuaden Barrett — along with his brothers Kane and Scott — played Gaelic football with St Brigid’s GAA club (Ballinacree) and also at St Fiach’s National School in north Meath.

Barrett won his first cap for the All Blacks when he came off the bench to score nine points as New Zealand hammered Ireland 60-0 in 2012.

The 24-year old plays his Super Rugby with the Hurricanes and in a poll by the New Zealand Herald earlier this summer, Barrett was the preferred public choice at out-half for the Kiwis at this year’s World Cup.

But how does a young lad born in Taranaki end up playing U-10 football in Co Meath?

Beauden’s father and mother — Kevin and Robyn - moved to Ballinacree in Autumn 1999 where they were managing a dairy farm and Kevin was playing with the Buccaneers in Athlone.

He had finished his career with Taranaki at that stage and they came over to experience Ireland and it was an opportunity to play rugby and work in a different country.

The Barrett children went to school in St Fiach’s National School and played Gaelic football there and with the St Brigid’s club.

Local man Barney Tighe said his children didn’t have much affinity for the oval ball at a younger age, but the New Zealander experience paid off as Barney's son Dylan is now in the Ulster rugby development squad.

Maybe Meath missed out on a potential inter-county GAA star when the Barrett family left Ballinacree in 2001?