'My parents made a big sacrifice' - Mayo rugby talent talks about home

One of Mayo's most promising rugby talents has opened up about his background and career highlights.

Fiachna Barrett from Geesala has started making waves as prop for Connacht Rugby in the United Rugby Championship this season.

Barrett played in the opener against Benetton, contributing to the home win, and the 22-year-old was named on the matchday squad for Connacht's trip to Munster last weekend.

Now, the prop has talked about home, how he got into rugby and his favourite underage moments.

"My home place Geesala is the best place in the world," Barrett chimes. "It's got everything you ever wanted."

He remembers starting playing rugby when he was six. His dad took him to Ballina RFC for training. 

"From then on I've loved it since. No one in my family ever played rugby. My granddad had a good interest in it. He never played but always enjoyed watching it. He told my dad to bring me out to Ballina."

It's a 45 minute drive each way out to Ballina for training, so a one-and-a-half hour round trip each time.

"My parents definitely made a big sacrifice," Barrett acknowledges.

He also recalls his best underage moment with Ballina. Barrett won several leagues and cups with the Moysiders. 

"I could pick any of them. But then definitely the Grand Slam with the Irish U-20 team in the Six Nations.

This season, Barrett played his first match for Connacht in the United Rugby Championship. At home against Benetton. He was subbed in during the second half and had a positive impact.

"It was a dream come true. There was a while there, where I thought this moment would never come," he admits: "I texted my team nomination into the family Whatsapp group. I don't think they believed me at first."

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