Today was one of those days as far as Adam’s rugby went. He was selected to play for Lurgan College’s 2nd XV away to Banbridge Academy. Banbridge had won the corresponding fixture 10-7 earlier in the year, and another close contest was expected. We were missing a few players however, due to the Christmas holidays, so my hopes were tempered accordingly.
How wrong I was. From the kickoff, Lurgan tore into the opposition like teenagers possessed. I don’t know what they put in their Christmas turkey but, whatever it was, it worked. A series of surging runs, slick passing and crunching tackles in the first five minutes set the standard for the remainder of the match. Lurgan emerged 48-7 winners, with Adam scoring twice.
He was then called upon to play the last 10 minutes of the 1st XV match, due to one of our players going off injured. Showing no fear at the step up in class against bigger and older boys, he played his part in a smart passage of play which culminated in Lurgan scoring under the posts. Lurgan ended up winning 43-15. Adam, the only member of the squad who had played in two winning sides in one morning.
On the drive home Adam confided in me that there had been times earlier in the season when his spirits had been low, due to the team underperforming. Despite that, he never missed an early morning gym session; nor did he fail to attend a training session, despite the grimmest of weather. He turned up week after week, playing his heart out in under strength sides.
Today, everything clicked. All the hard work and perseverance paid off and Adam earned the reward. The Schools Cup, the biggest school’s rugby tournament in the country, starts in two weeks time. Lurgan College will be competing against the top sides in and Adam will be going toe to toe with the best schoolboy players in Northern Ireland. He was worked hard for that privilege and Fionnuala and I were very proud parents today.
Talent and natural ability can only take you so far. It counts for nothing, unless it is underpinned by hard work and determination. Often the most brilliant talents fall by the wayside, distracted by other trinkets and temptations. It’s so very easy to take your eye off the ball, your foot off the pedal; so easy to succumb to the doubters and mockers. To succeed, you need more.
Hard work. Dedication, refusing to give up whatever the obstacles and whatever hand grenades are lobbed in your direction. I often doubt my own ability as a runner and writer. I let my head drop and listen to the voice telling me that I’m not good enough, that I’ll never be good enough. Voices from my past, voices from the here and now and, who knows, voices further down this road we call life.
I always seek to set a positive example to my son, to encourage and support him no matter where his rugby career takes him. Fionnuala and I treat the girls exactly the same way. We live for them and through them. But today, Adam made me a very proud father and taught me an equally valuable lesson. Dreams can come true, but only if you are prepared to put the hard work in. That is where the best days are.
The days when everything clicks.
Black Thoughts 
I love it when we still learn life lessons along the way – some hard and some softer. It seems like the hard ones make us stronger, more quickly, although we don’t necessary like the tougher test. I trust your 2019 will be filled with many blessings, joy, peace, love and safety. 🙂
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That’s wonderful! One of those parenting moments when you feel like you are the teacher and the student all at the same time. My kid is such a mirror for me. An opportunity to learn. Thanks for sharing!
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You’re welcome. Thank you for your kind words as ever.
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Congratulations. And give a firm Well Done to Adam from me.
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Thank you. I will.
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I love when life provides a teachable moment and we are open to receiving it. Well done to both Adam and you, have a wonderful day!
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Thank you. We did 🙂
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Smashed it Adam, well done 😁
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He smashed a few of the other team, that’s for sure 😊
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Funny how we make sure to teach our kids certain life lessons but lose ourselves in the same situations!
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Yes, that’s very true.
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I’m so pleased for him.
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Thank you 😊
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This resonated with me today. Thank you for these words. I have to constantly tell myself that if I am putting one foot in front of the other, I am a good enough runner. Well, maybe a slow runner! Cheers and Congratulations to your son and his team on their great victory.
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Thank you very much. Keep running. A slow mile is still a mile 🙂
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What a lovely, inspirational piece! Thank you for sharing and I think your children are very, very fortunate in their parents!
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Oh I don’t know about that Carol. But thank you anyway 🙂
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I do – it is inspiring us all to work hard, to stick to it, to never give up. If that’s not inspirational I don’t know what is. 🙂
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What a lovely post … a good reminder. Well done Adam! Good work.
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Thank you Katie 🙂
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Congrats to your son for working so hard and so persistently. You are right. It is hard work that pays off in the long run. No wonder you are a proud parent!
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Thank you very much 🙂
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Brilliant. Go Adam (and parents).
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Thank you 😊
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Congratulations for a job well done! And for a lesson well learned!
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Thank you Elizabeth 🙂
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Well said. Being a Yank I don’t know Rugby, but I have watched a few matches. Your son must be one tough dude. Be blessed.
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He’s tough. Taller and stronger than me at 16. Thank you.
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What a wonderful story!
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Thank you 😊
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The best thing we can do for our children is set a good example. Congratulations to Adam.
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I agree. Thank you.
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So glad he opened up and shared. So important if teens can apply that dedication they will be set in learning, experiences, and growth. Way to go!
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I agree totally 🙂
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