Barrett has to be happy with silver at World Cup final

Geesala's Fiachna Barrett had to be happy with a silver medal following Friday night's World Cup final in Cape Town. The tight-head prop came off the bench in the second half as Ireland were overpowered by their excellent French opponents.

The match began well for the Irish with a try in the fourth minute and were just three adrift at the break, 14-17, but France punished green errors after the resumption and had built an unassailable lead long before the finish.

However, Ireland never stopped looking to do the right thing and Barrett epitomised that characteristic near the end when he made a bustling break up the middle of the pitch.

The final might have ended in disappointment for Ireland but the young men in green have a huge amount to be proud of in 2023. They won the Six Nations earlier in the season, beating France, England, Wales, Italy and Scotland along the way before heading off to the World Cup in South Africa.

In the global tournament the boys in green drew with England before beating Australia, Fiji and South Africa to qualify for the final.

Unfortunately, the last game of the season ended in defeat for Barrett and his colleagues at the end of a very special run.

Barrett and Harry West came through the ranks at Ballina RFC and won the Six Nations together. Unfortunately, West was injured before the Fiji game in the World Cup and is currently rehabbing.