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Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen
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Former Irish outhalf Barry McGann has passed away.
In 1976 he had to withdraw from the Munster squad that was set to play Australia in Musgrave park. Tony Ward made his debut in his place.
He then had to withdraw from the Irish team to play Australia the following week. Ollie Campbell made his debut in his place.
Im sure he will be commemorated fondly at the game on Saturday.
McGann had transferred from Cork Con to Lansdowne in 1969, and it was while playing with Lansdowne that he was named as a replacement on the Irish squad to play France only for outhalf Mike Gibson to withdraw with injury and McGann won his first cap.
He made an outstanding debut and helped Ireland to a 17-9 victory and was so impressive when the superb Gibson returned to fitness, McGann retained the No 10 jersey and the Ulster man moved to the centre where he became one of the finest centres in the history of the game.
McGann won four Irish caps while with Lansdowne but he returned to Cork and Cork Con. He was with Cork Con in 1973 when he lined up alongside his clubmate Tom Kiernan as captain when Ireland took on the All Blacks on a blustery day in Lansdowne Road.
Ireland also included Gibson, Willie John McBride, Ray McLoughlin, Fergus Slattery and McGann’s fellow Corkman Terry Moore that day and when Tom Grace scored a late try to level the game at 10-10, the celebratory crowd spilled on to the pitch to engulf the winger with congratulations.
When the crowd finally cleared, McGann was left with a difficult kick from the touchline in blustery conditions and although it appeared to be on target and sailing between the posts, a gust of wind appeared to catch it and the kick tailed wide at the last moment and the game ended in a draw.
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