When it comes to top level rugby in this country, there tends to be a defined path that many aspiring players follow.
They attend some of the top schools in Leinster, Munster, and Ulster, many of which are also fee-paying institutions. It is from these centres that Irish schools squads are normally chosen, with those teams then going on to make up the bulk of senior test sides in later years.
Of course, there are always exceptions. Robbie Henshaw, who is today being announced as the new brand partner for AYA, the leading Irish vitamin and supplement brand, very much falls into that category.
Not only did he emerge outside of the academy structures in the three strongest provinces, he also attended a school that not even necessarily considered to be a rugby powerhouse in Connacht. Despite this, he would become a key player for Connacht a matter of months after completing his leaving cert, making his Ireland debut a year later.
It was a journey that started in 2011, when he became the first Marist College Athlone player to be called up to the Ireland schools team.
Speaking to Balls, Henshaw recalled how this was the first step in what would prove to be a pivotal year in his journey as a rugby player.
Originally I was named the the Irish youth squad, which is the clubs squad. I got picked up through that. The schools had a few injuries in the centre and Nigel Carolan in Connacht actually suggested that I transfer over to schools and they took me on.
We played a trial game and I think it just went from there. They were happy with how I performed and I ended up getting my first cap against Scotland away playing '13' for schools.
Looking back, to be the first person in the Marist to get the schools cap school was pretty special for me. It was great for my confidence in terms of getting the confidence that I could go and play with the powerhouse players from the Blackrocks, the St Michael's and the Munchen's of Leinster and Munster.
AYA, the leading Irish vitamin and supplement brand for all the family is delighted to announce a Brand Partnership with Irish Rugby International Player Robbie Henshaw for 2023. As a professional athlete at the top of his game, Robbie enjoys a busy lifestyle and alongside a balanced and varied diet, he takes AYA vitamins and supplements to help support his immunity and give him the energy he needs to perform both on and off the pitch. Robbie embodies ‘’Living the AYA Way’’ which supports a healthy lifestyle to make sure you’re feeling on top form, no matter what you’re doing or what life throws at you’’. AYA is committed to delivering only the highest quality food supplements and vitamins to support health and well-being for all the family. The range of 36 products caters for adults, children, and babies. Exclusive to Irish pharmacy AYA is widely available across the country including Allcare Pharmacy, Life Pharmacy, Hickeys Pharmacy, McCauley Pharmacy, and other leading Groups and Independent Pharmacies. #LiveTheAYAWay #RobbieHenshaw
Of course, still a number of months removed from his move into the professional ranks, rugby was far from his only commitment.
Not only was he playing rugby and preparing for his Leaving Cert, but Henshaw was also attempting to squeeze in some GAA. He starred for Athlone and Westmeath in Gaelic football, despite his increasing rugby responsibilities.
It was something he took in his stride.
It was very tough because I was trying to keep a lot of balls in the air, literally!
Running from a rugby game to going down and watching Gaelic training in Athlone or a game in the Marist, I was playing school football as well. It was definitely tough. I always found that playing Gaelic, I was always really fit in terms of the amount of running you do on the Gaelic pitch. It blows rugby out of the water in terms of metres you do. That always stood to me.
I remember chatting to Rob Kearney recently, he went back into GAA with Cooley Kickhams and he said it's harder compared to any test game that he had played for Ireland, that the running was way tougher. I look back and say that's why I always kept up Gaelic, it kept the fitness levels high.
While international honours were a bonus, Robbie Henshaw entered his final year in the Marist with a singular sporting goal: to win the Connacht Senior Cup.
There is a strong tradition of rugby in the school, although that did not always necessarily result in success on the pitch. In fact, prior to this, the team had not won Connacht's main schools competition since 1977.
The team for the 2011/12 season had long been mooted as one that could possibly bring that hoodoo to an end. As the star player, Henshaw felt that shouldered some extra responsibility in getting them over the line.
The first week we were back in school our teacher Mick Loftus asked me before that if I would like to captain the team for my final year. I said I would love to, I had never really captained a team before so it was a big thing for me.
I did feel that bit of pressure, because we were bigged up that this was definitely our year. We had great talent, there were a lot of lads that had played senior cup the year before and experienced that level. We knew we'd have a lot of overlap in terms of players who were playing their second year.
I remember at the start of the first week we were back, Mick a called a meeting with all the players in his room at lunchtime to set out the plan for the year. The plan was that we were going to win the cup...
It's your one chance.
You don't really look at it like that as such, when you're that young and you're just enjoying playing rugby and playing with your mates in school. It's straight knockout, so you've only one chance of doing.
Looking back, it's probably one of my favourite years. To be with your mates achieving something like that, the craic throughout the year, and the craic we had after winning the cup, some of the memories we have there will last forever. It's great now to be able to meet the lads you played with in school.
Realising that they needed to take their game to the next level in order to achieve their ultimate goal, the Marist looked outside of Connacht in order to challenge themselves. They faced schools from Leinster and Ulster in challenge games, also taking a trip to Gloucester to test themselves against English opposition.
The results were obvious. They put together a fantastic run over the course of the season, winning the Connacht Senior League before securing their first Connacht Senior Cup final berth since 2008.
In the final awaited Sligo Grammar, who were making their fourth consecutive appearance in the decider.
However, the Marist were not to be denied. Having entered the game as favourites, they would ultimately emerge as winners on a 12-0 scoreline.
The final whistle was greeted by an outpouring of emotion, both to mark an incredible achievement and to remember those who were sadly no longer with them on the day.
It was unbelievable, that feeling of joy. I think we had actually done enough in the game to know that we had pulled ahead and couldn't be caught. Towards the end, we kind of enjoyed ourselves because we knew we were building up for a big celebration.
I think there was a flare in the stands. It was probably the first time there has been a lit flare in the Sportsgrounds, the first and last!
I remember pre-game one of our teachers, Cian O'Brien, gave us a serious team talk. He brought us all in and it was actually very emotional, there were tears because he mentioned one of our old friends Karl Ashe, who sadly passed away when he was in third year. He said to do it for Karl and that he was here with us today.
That spurred us on as well, so there was that big emotional lift in the changing room that made us go out and win it.
This may have been a magnificent achievement, but it wasn't one that Henshaw could savour for too long. His focus would soon switch from sporting endeavours to academic ones, with the Leaving Cert just around the corner.
Once that was out of the way, he fast-tracked into the Connacht first team the following summer. A matter of months after lifting the trophy with the Marist, he was playing at Pro 14 level.
He would also have to take it easy on the traditional pre-college events that most of us experience, cutting short a couple of grads due to his rugby commitments. In fact, he would leave his own grad early in order to ensure he was fresh to make his Connacht debut in a pre-season game against Harlequins the following day.
It wasn't long before he established himself as a key player at provincial level, going on to win the Six Nations and feature in a World Cup for Ireland in 2015.
That 2015/16 season would also be his final one at the Sportsgrounds. With Connacht flying, he announced his intentions to join Leinster at the end of the campaign.
Of course, the westerners would go all the way to the final in the Pro 14 where, as fate would have it, they would play Leinster. Similar to him taking advantage of his final chance with the Marist back in 2012, he would make the most of his last dance with Connacht to help them get over the line and win that game.
Coming back after the World Cup, we had an unbelievable run.
Pat Lam was brilliant that year, he just had everything aligned perfectly. Everything he said and all the goal he wanted to achieve, we started nailing them through the work we were doing. There was complete buy-in from the whole squad, everyone was honest and in it together.
For me personally, it was tough because I had announced that I was leaving to go to Leinster. There was a bit of added pressure for me. It was tough leaving a club that I had grown up in effectively.
Lo and behold we ended up playing Leinster in the final, so that was even more added pressure. I thought 'you've got to perform here'.
It was a great year and great on a personal note to to finish off in Connacht with silverware and to create history.
While he no longer plays for Connacht, he still represents the Marist, Athlone, and club side Buccaneers on the biggest stage.
Despite now playing his rugby in Leinster, he is still names as a Bucs representative on squad lists and matchday programmes. It is something he is proud to do.
The question was raised before, did I want to change my club when I moved province. I said no, I wanted to keep it and always be with Buccaneers.
It's great to still see the club beside my name on the different programmes.
Over a decade later, it's clear to see the impact that Robbie Henshaw's final year in Marist College Athlone had on his career.
He certainly hasn't forgotten his roots.
*****
AYA, the leading Irish vitamin and supplement brand for all the family is delighted to announce a Brand Partnership with Irish Rugby International Player Robbie Henshaw for 2023. As a professional athlete at the top of his game, Robbie enjoys a busy lifestyle and alongside a balanced and varied diet, he takes AYA vitamins and supplements to help support his immunity and give him the energy he needs to perform both on and off the pitch.
Robbie embodies ‘’Living the AYA Way’’ which supports a healthy lifestyle to make sure you’re feeling on top form, no matter what you’re doing or what life throws at you’’. AYA is committed to delivering only the highest quality food supplements and vitamins to support health and well-being for all the family. The range of 36 products caters for adults, children, and babies.
Exclusive to Irish pharmacy AYA is widely available across the country including Allcare Pharmacy, Life Pharmacy, Hickeys Pharmacy, McCauley Pharmacy, and other leading Groups and Independent Pharmacies. #LiveTheAYAWay #RobbieHenshaw
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