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THERE WASN’T MUCH rugby in Damascus, Syria when the Prendergast brothers spent 18 months dwelling there throughout their youth.
23-year-old Cian, a senior Eire worldwide combating for a spot on the World Cup, and 20-year-old Sam, who starred for the Eire U20s this yr, at the moment are rising stars in Irish rugby.
It was round 2008 when their father’s work introduced the household to war-torn Syria. Mark Prendergast was a Lieutenant with the Irish Defence Forces and his function on the time was as a peace-keeper with the United Nations Truce Supervision Group. It was considered one of his many stints abroad. Mark’s spouse, Ciara, was a commandant so the army historical past is robust within the Prendergast clan.
“On the time, we might have been evaded what was occurring,” says Cian of dwelling in Damascus.
“That journey wasn’t as harmful, he [his father] has completed others that have been a bit extra.
“If you find yourself seven or eight or 9, you possibly can’t actually comprehend what’s going on round you. However whenever you suppose again on issues, it was fairly mad however it was cool, you bought to see a unique aspect of the world, you bought to see a unique tradition, and we received to journey throughout the Center East. To have the ability to say you bought to do issues like that’s cool.”
He remembers journeys to Jordan, Lebanon, and South Africa, whereas there have been numerous different Irish households in Syria similtaneously the Prendergasts.
Remarkably, considered one of their neighbours ended up on the identical Eire U20s workforce as Sam this yr.
“It’s mad, Diarmuid Mangan, their household was there with us,” says Cian.
“They have been just a few doorways up the street from us in Damascus. Sam and Diarmuid grew up collectively they usually’d be shut household associates.”
Laszlo Geczo / INPHO
Diarmuid Mangan and Sam Prendergast have been neighbours in Syria.
Laszlo Geczo / INPHO / INPHO
There have been military households from Australia and New Zealand there too, in addition to different foreigners working for the Shell oil company, so the Prendergasts had numerous English-speaking associates. The boys went to an American government-run college, the place they performed soccer, basketball, and different sports activities, however not rugby.
The stint in Syria ended with a exceptional journey again house to Eire.
“We drove house from Syria. We purchased a automotive and Dad drove from Syria to Turkey, by means of Greece, Italy and France and received the boat house,” says Prendergast.
“That was fairly cool, over two or three weeks. We received to see a whole lot of cool locations.”
Having settled again in Kildare, the Prendergast boys made their identify in rugby at Newbridge School the place they confirmed their potential to go onto greater issues.
For Cian, that concerned a transfer to Galway to affix Connacht’s academy after he missed out on a spot with Leinster. Lower than a yr later, he had signed his first senior skilled contract and he has change into a key man for the western province.
He made his Eire debut final November towards Fiji and he’s now a part of the coaching squad making ready for the World Cup. Again row competitors is fierce however Prendergast is bold and decided. He’ll hope for a shot within the first warm-up recreation towards Italy this Saturday.
“It’s really mad to suppose we’re coming to the tip of this sort of pre-season block and we’re into Check matches,” says Prendergast.
“I believe no stone has been left unturned between vitamin, restoration, physio, power & conditioning after which the rugby as effectively, I believe we’re actually onto one thing hopefully it’ll present now within the coming video games.”
In fact, he was glued to the Eire U20s’ thrilling journey to the World Rugby Championship last in South Africa earlier this month, provided that Sam was a key determine at out-half.
Tom Maher / INPHO
Sam and Cian after the previous performed for Leinster towards Chile final yr.
Tom Maher / INPHO / INPHO
It was a marketing campaign tinged with unhappiness and Cian was an anxious spectator all through.
“That week of their Fiji recreation, I believe I used to be in all probability essentially the most proud I’ve ever been of him, watching him come on towards Fiji when the tide was going a bit bit towards them.
“You can see that the sport may go both method and he form of handled it fairly maturely and simply watching him develop as an individual after which in the end they went to beat South Africa within the semi-final, the host nation.
“Yeah, simply extremely proud. On the identical time very, very nervous. I don’t get pleasure from watching these video games that a lot.
“I believe I understand how my dad and mom really feel now. It’s humorous to be on that aspect of the fence.”
It wasn’t Sam’s bodily well-being that Cian fearful about, simply that he can be completely satisfied along with his performances.
“I simply wished him to do effectively,” says Cian.
“I simply need him to play effectively, to point out the perfect model of himself and I believe after them not getting the win towards England and beating Australia, I believe it’s simply because he’s in such a weak place, place-kicking as effectively, it’s form of, whoooo, a bit nervous right here however I belief he works actually exhausting.”
Whereas Cian is just a few years forward of Sam on his skilled journey, he does his greatest to not give recommendation except it’s requested for.
Sam has joined the Leinster academy and his older brother is aware of he’ll discover his personal path. He’s there when referred to as on.
“On the finish of the day, we’re simply attempting to be brothers for one another,” says Cian.
“I believe we’re not form of attempting to educate one another. I believe he will get sufficient teaching. He has sufficient individuals telling him what to do.
Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Cian throughout pre-season with Eire.
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
“I simply attempt to want him better of luck and when you want somebody to speak to, then I’m there more often than not.”
There’s little question that Sam and his dad and mom are happy with what Cian is reaching as he now jostles for a World Cup spot.
Additional down the road, the Prendergast boys appear more likely to come up towards one another on the pitch.
“We even have chatted about it form of jokingly however yeah, I’m positive the day goes to return,” says Cian.
“I might have appreciated to play with him however we’ll see what occurs.”
It may effectively occur in a inexperienced jersey not too far sooner or later.
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