Erris village bubbling with excitement before one of their own plays in World Cup final

It might be a rural village on the edge of the Atlantic but Geesala has produced more than its share of champions over the years. This evening in Cape Town a young man from the village will look to bring the first global rugby title back to 'The land of the salty breeze.'

Fiachna Barrett has been named on the bench for the U20 World Cup final against France and the village known far and wide for its boxers and footballers will have a new name to add to its esteemed roll of honour.

Local county councillor and well-known boxing coach, Gerry Coyle, says the whole community will be glued to the action in Cape Town when the young Irish men take to the pitch in the Athlone Stadium.

"This is a very special day and we're all so excited. We're no strangers to World titles here in Geesala. We've won them in the ring over the years and we have another mighty young man looking to win one on the rugby pitch this evening. Fiachna comes from a family steeped in sport and we always knew he'd achieve great things whether that was in the ring, on the football pitch, rowing or rugby. Whatever he turned his hand to he was brilliant at it and the whole world can see that now. 

"People looking at him in South Africa don't fully realise the story behind him. There is no rugby club in Erris, so he had to go to Ballina where he came through the ranks there with that fine club. His parents would drive him there and back two or three times a week just for training alone. It wasn't easy, but it's all worth it today.

"It's a hugely special day for the whole of Mayo, Erris, Kiltane and Geesala and we're all so proud of Fiachna, his family and all who played any part in him getting to this very special moment. Sport lifts everyone and if he brings home the World Cup to Geesala the place will be hopping."

The match against France gets underway at 6pm and will be screened live on Virgin Media Two.