HAVING CAPTAINED CONNACHT to an incredible triumph in the Guinness Pro12 in May, it\u2019s probably safe to say that John Muldoon has no regrets about how his sporting career transpired.<\/p>\n
John Muldoon lifting the Pro12 trophy following their win against Leinster in the 2015\/16 final at Murrayfield. Source: Billy Stickland\/INPHO<\/p>\n
However, the Ireland international flanker admits that he only took up rugby at the age of 14 or 15 in order to keep himself fit while the GAA season was on a break during the winter.<\/p>\n
\u201cBefore that it was all about hurling and dreaming of being Joe Cooney,\u201d Muldoon says. \u201cLittle did I realise back then that I\u2019d be playing for Connacht many years later.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Although he didn\u2019t get a run in the final, Muldoon was actually a member of the Galway panel that defeated Cork in the 2000 All-Ireland minor hurling decider at Croke Park.<\/p>\n
One of the stars of that side was his Portumna team-mate Damien Hayes: \u201cJohn was always a phenomenal athlete. He had legs like tree trunks. To say that he made it as a rugby player, no I wasn\u2019t surprised, being honest. He was just a naturally built talent.\u201d<\/p>\n
Muldoon will reflect on his hurling days on tonight\u2019s episode of Thank GAA It\u2019s Friday, which airs on RT\u00c9 2 from 8.30pm. Here\u2019s a teaser\u2026<\/p>\n
Source: The42.ie\/YouTube<\/p>\n
Aiming for 3 Munster hurling titles and a first All-Ireland football quarter-final \u2013 Tipp\u2019s dual ambitions\u2018How does a team with no leaders get to All-Ireland finals and semi-finals?\u2019<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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