The sheer delight of victory is etched on the face of Tadhg Furlong and his Irish rugby teammates following the historic victory over the All-Blacks

THE NEW Ross area is celebrating the success of two of its sports stars this week following Ireland’s victory over New Zealand in rugby and Cork City’s win over Dundalk in the FAI Cup final.

When the final whistle blew in Ireland’s amazing rugby match victory against the all-Blacks on Saturday evening much of the focus of attention was placed squarely on the exquisite performance of Horeswood man, Tadhg Furlong.

Such was the quality of his display in the game that some pundits referred to the amiable 23 year-old as ‘the future of Irish rugby’.

Nine games into what will surely be an illustrious Irish career, Furlong has achieved something that no other Irish international, other than his teammates on Saturday, ever experienced before – victory over the All-Blacks.

What made the day all the more special was that it was his second ever test start and he emphasised what it meant in interviews after the game when he commented: “What day to be Irish.”

Two of the most revered names in rugby have worn the No.3 jersey in recent years, Mike Ross and John Hayes, but Furlong was outstanding in the role of tight-head prop.

Furlong described it as an “unbelievable day” during interviews after the game when the significance of the occasion was evident in the emotion in his voice.

It was a fantastic day for Irish rugby and for New Ross.

While Furlong was creating his own bit of history another New Ross sportsman, Greg Bolger, was Captaining Cork City to victory in the FAI Cup final against a Dundalk United team that is widely regarded as one of the best domestic Irish soccer teams ever.

The former New Ross Celtic A.F.C. player took delight in holding aloft the Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup before a packed Aviva Stadium.

It was only the third time in the club’s history that it won the competition and speaking ahead of the game Bolger commented that wasn’t nearly enough for a club of Cork City’s size.

In what was a great game of soccer the outcome went all the way down to the wire when a last minute goal from Seanie Maguire sealed the deal for the Leesiders.

Bolger was City’s acting skipper on the day as the club’s usual Captain, Johnny Dunleavy, was ruled out following a cruciate injury.

It was a great weekend for Irish sport, for County Wexford and in particular, for New Ross.