Blackmore knits in to the Ormond way
In an era where thousands of Irish young people are trading these shores for the smooth sandy beaches and exotic lifestyle of Australia, it’s heartening to know that the inverse is happening too.
By Thomas Conway
It was rugby that attracted Nenagh Ormond’s firebrand centre Angus Blackmore to Ireland, but since coming here he’s found friendship, camaraderie, and built an attachment to this little island.
He’s only 23, but exudes a maturity beyond his years, both on the pitch and off it. Maybe that’s because he’s been through the system - experienced the gritty, unvarnished reality of what it’s like to be a young and talented professional rugby player with aspirations of making it to the top.
Anyone who has seen the New South Wales native play will tell you that this guy has a promising future in the game, perhaps even at an elite level. Blackmore has been immersed in rugby since his schooldays. His path to Nenagh Ormond is an interesting one, but once he made contact with the North Tipp club, he knew it was the place for him.
“I moved to Canberra to join the (Super Rugby) Brumbies senior academy, straight out of school,” he reveals.
“I was in there for a few years and then got promoted to a development squad contract, but unfortunately it didn’t really work out.
“I went to play in Sydney last year and then I was sort of just thinking that I want to keep playing in the off-season, so I got in touch with Nenagh, and it all sort of just happened pretty quickly.”
It was backs coach Dan Fogarty who ultimately sealed the deal. He wooed Blackmore in a facetime conversation, telling him about Nenagh’s rise to Division 1B last year, and their aspirations for the season ahead. It was still a big decision, but Blackmore didn’t waste time pondering on the choice. He made his mind up and came to Nenagh, and before long he was a valued member of the team, and the wider community.
“I found it super easy to come into the squad,” Blackmore admits.
“I could just tell when I joined, from the very first session, that everyone bought in. And all the boys were really good to me as well. Even just moving into the house with Ben (Pope), that worked out really well. So, it’s just a really welcoming culture, I guess. I mean, Aussies and the Irish have always been great friends.”
You can tell from speaking to Blackmore that he gets it. He understands and appreciates how big next Sunday’s game is, how seismic it would be for Nenagh to become Munster Senior Cup champions. He admits to being nervous and acknowledges the pressure but says that all he and his fellow players can do is live “in the present moment” and embrace the occasion.
Blackmore wanted to sample rugby in the northern hemisphere, see how it differed from the fare down under. His assessment isn’t unusual. Rugby is faster in Oz, but the rudimentary skills of the game are more pronounced up here in Ireland.
“It’s probably a little bit quicker in Australia. The intensity is similar, but I think the focus here in Ireland is a bit more on skills and structure, whereas the footy is more free-flowing in Australia. But the grounds are a lot flatter over there, the surface is harder, and that makes a difference to the style of play,” he reveals.
Part of the reason Blackmore came here is personal development. He already has his return flight booked and will travel back to Australia at the end of the season. He’ll step on that plane a more rounded person and a better player. If all goes to plan, there’ll be a Munster Senior Cup winners medal in his suitcase too.