Stephen Smyth, Carlow native & Kilkenny College past pupil made his Leinster debut in a clash against Connacht on Saturday
The young player made his long-awaited debut during Leinster’s latest United Rugby Championship (URC) match versus Connacht, stepping onto the pitch in the 74th minute for Gus McCarthy. Speaking after the game, Smyth reflected on the emotions and experiences surrounding his debut.
“It was great to get on… I was a bit nervous I wasn’t going to get on at one stage,” Smyth shared with a smile. For any young player, making their first senior appearance for a club like Leinster is a huge moment, and Smyth’s excitement was palpable. “It was great to step foot on the pitch,” he added, emphasizing the pride of representing his Province.
The journey to his debut hasn’t been without its challenges. Smyth mentioned that the first few weeks of the season were particularly tough due to an injury. However, he quickly found his rhythm again, thanks to his time with the Emerging Ireland squad. “First few weeks of the season I had an injury, and then I got going in Emerging Ireland… They [his teammates] looked after me.” The opportunity to play for Emerging Ireland, a program designed to nurture upcoming talent, gave him the much-needed game time and confidence to push for his spot in Leinster’s senior squad.
While discussing the special moment, Smyth expressed his gratitude to the teammates who made his debut week memorable. “I’m just delighted to play with such a special group of lads; they’ve really made this week a very special week for me, you know…” Despite being relatively new to the Leinster setup, Smyth’s humility shines through. “I’m only in the door really with the academy,” he acknowledged, highlighting how quickly he’s progressed through the ranks.
The young man’s rugby journey has been deeply rooted in his development in both Carlow and Kilkenny which was key to his success. “From Carlow and Kilkenny, I have so many individuals… probably too many to name that helped me get to where I am today,” Smyth reflected, paying tribute to the communities and mentors who have shaped his path.
Although Smyth admitted that joining the Emerging Ireland squad wasn’t something he had initially anticipated—”Emerging Ireland wasn’t really on my radar”—the experience undoubtedly helped him cement his place as a promising talent in Irish rugby.
