Westport rugby star lines out for Poland

SHARING THE MOMENT Kacper Palamarczuk (centre) is pictured with team-mate Dominic Morycki (from Enniscorthy RFC) and supporters Cathal Sammon, Ronan McGreevy, Lewis Corcoran and his father Marek (second from right) following Poland’s recent match with Romania.

Feature
Michael Gallagher

ON a recent Saturday afternoon, many residents of Newport were fluffing the hair and shining the shoes in preparation for the Burrishoole GAA dinner dance while a young man from the town strode onto a rugby pitch 2,509 kilometres away to proudly play international rugby for Poland.
Kacper Palamarczuk stood to attention for the national anthem with the crest of the white eagle sitting proudly on his chest while his Portuguese opponents waited patiently for the action to begin.
The 20 year-old’s journey to the stadium in Gydnia had been a long and winding one but as the minutes ticked towards kick-off he felt comfortable, he felt at home and he felt ready.
He knew his family and friends were watching his every move and he set about playing the game he loves for the country of his birth.
Kacper and his family arrived in Ireland when he was six-years-old. He was soon headed for Westport Mini Rugby in Carrowholly and set off on an exciting rugby odyssey.
“My father played rugby and got my brother (Bartek) and I involved with the Minis as soon as we were old enough and we love it. Bartek is currently with the Connacht youth teams and I’ve been through that system,” he told The Mayo News.
Kacper made an impression as soon as he began to wear the blue jersey of Westport and, as he said, progressed through the ranks and on to the Connacht Academy where he caught the eye of many seasoned observers.
After three years in Rice College he received a rugby scholarship to move to Sligo Grammar where he helped the framed sporting nursery to a Connacht Senior Schools final at a pivotal moment in the history of the world.
“We played the cup final the day before Ireland shut down for Covid. It was the last game played and unfortunately, Garbally beat us,” Kacper explained.
However, life was good for the flying forward and he captained the province before going to to wear the green of Ireland. He then played for Connacht Eagles, the province’s second team and seemed destined to continue the rugby journey on towards adulthood.
“It seemed that way but sport can be cruel and when selections to continue in the system were being made, I was released. I was absolutely devastated to be truthful and it was a tough time. I took stock and as I’m extremely proud of my Polish heritage I jumped at the opportunity to play for the national team.”
That decision was greeted with great joy in the city of Boleslawiec where his great-grandmother, Danusia Zugaj, is Kacper’s biggest supporter.
“Our matches are carried live on Pilish television, so she is always so proud to see me stand for the anthem and play in the Polish jersey. It’s very special for all of us.”
The match against Portugal was part of the European Rugby Championship and resulted in a win for the guests, but Kacper and his teammates took numerous positives from the encounter.
“Portugal are a seasoned side and are headed to the World Cup later in the year. This is our first year playing at this level and we’re developing all the time. Rugby is growing by the minute in Poland and I’m very proud to be part of that,” the Westport second row told The Mayo News.
The rugby journey which began as a six-year-old in Carrowholly has brought Kacper Palamarczuk on a great adventure which has a long way to run yet.
On Saturday last, he helped his national team to a great win over Belgium and the future is very bright for the young man from Newport with the white eagle on his chest.