The coach also shared how family and community feed into Irish rugby and wrote of his own Irish family roots in Longford and how they line out alongside the wider story of rugby in Ireland.
RELATED: Sons of Paul O’Connell and Andy Farrell are friendly rivals on the pitch
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell poses for a selfie with supporters during an Ireland rugby captain’s run at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Pic: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
‘If you delve back a little bit in my own family tree, the Farrell’s story began in Longford,’ he wrote in the Irish Independent.
Andy Farrell, President Michael D. Higgins and Colleen. Pic: INPHO
Andy continued: ‘It’s funny that three generations later, my family and I are back living in Ireland and grateful to meet new friends and experience memories that will no doubt last a lifetime.’
That familiar theme he goes on to say is reoccurring in the sport where people come from towns and cities all over ‘and are united by our desire to represent Irish people to the best of our abilities.’
In acknowledging that connection, it’s his own family’s happiness that he places above all else and that’s also the motivation for his players.
Andy said that he’s ‘most grateful’ for his family’s ‘health and happiness’ and that he knows the men in the Ireland squad would agree that ‘family is at the heart of intrinsically who we are.’
Rugby Union’s Andy Farrell, joined by his wife Colleen, celebrates becoming an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE). Pic: Getty Images
In conclusion, Andy wrote that he’s also grateful to work with ‘such a dedicated group’ who share the same values.
Ireland is currently gearing up for their third match of the Autumn series against Fiji. The first game ended in defeat to New Zealand while the second saw Ireland win against Argentina.
Share your thoughts on this story or any other over on our discussion boards.