Tom Ahern: 'It was a very special moment for me and my family, they sacrificed a lot for me growing up'

"Former hurler and footballer from Ardmore was an outsider in rugby circles, the Munster lock took route less travelled to represent Ireland"

"When Tom Ahern stood for Ireland's Call in Tbilisi last July and looked up to the stands where his parents Anthony and Jessie were watching on, he contemplated the long journey they'd taken together to get to that point. From his home in Ardmore, Co Waterford, they would drive all over the province to link up with development squads and representative teams as the the young second-row climbed the ranks."

Tom Ahern stood for Ireland's Call in Tbilisi last July and looked up to the stands where his parents Anthony and Jessie were watching on. From his home in Ardmore, Co Waterford, his parents drove across the province to link him with development squads and representative teams as he climbed the ranks. Ahern began as a hurler and footballer and was initially an outsider in rugby circles. He developed into a Munster lock who followed a less-travelled route to represent Ireland, relying on persistent family support and progression through regional development pathways.

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