Gabe played in his first official rugby match on Saturday. The setting of the pitch is beautiful in Strandhill with Knocknarea to the back of you and the ocean on the other side. That is, unless the weather is coming off the ocean and hitting you upside the head.

The parents may have been miserable in the cold, driving rain, but could a group of boys be any happier than tackling each other on a muddy pitch? Gabe took a face-first plunge shortly after getting into the action and turned to face me with a sopping wet, soil eating grin on his face.

The Sligo side beat a good Westport team 19-14. Gabe barely missed a try with seconds remaining when the maul was stood-up at the goal line.