It’s undeniable that, thus far, this week has been enjoyable for Irish rugby fans in London, despite the rising concern on this island that pride comes before a fall.
The dynamics of this afternoon’s Six Nations match have been historically turned on its head, with Andy Farrell leading a team to Twickenham that travels not in hope but in expectation and this Red Rose team hardly in blossom.
Angus Kernohan, a resident of Ballymena, has been involved with Ealing Trailfinders in London for four years and has noticed a noticeable shift in the locals’ restlessness.
The winger chuckles, “The English have actually been pretty quiet.” “A terrific indication for Ireland, but somewhat rare for them. Hopefully, we manage to keep them modest.
The big game is only around six miles from Kernohan’s house; if you want to avoid the congested roads and extensive train systems, it’s best to bike for thirty minutes. However, on Saturday afternoon, he’ll be watching his teammates play Coventry rugby. After a horrible injury that lasted for a year and a half, the 25-year-old must sit out the match while he is progressively nursed back, but he has been excited to get back on the field in recent weeks.
He suffered simultaneous ligament damage in September 2022 during his team’s last preseason game before the 2022–2023 campaign, tearing both his ACL and lateral meniscus. As a result, he has the longest road back.
“I was aware that I had committed an act,” he remembers the encounter. “I didn’t feel particularly hurt, but it didn’t feel right either. That would occur following surgery.
However, I can still picture the physio’s face. It was obvious right away that it wasn’t excellent.
“I simply remember feeling so alone after the game when I was sitting in the physio room.
That might sound like I’m feeling sorry for myself, but my dad, my sister, and Judith—my then-fiance and current wife—were not present. I was thinking to myself, “I have no one to cry on,” and I felt really alone at that point.
“In the end, I was inundated with people; my sister came over for the surgery, my Dad the day after, and Judith the week following.
“A church I attend here is also only ten minutes away from the club; they were amazing and have given me a home away from home. However, it was difficult.
You’ve come to the realization that you will not add anything to the season.
“At the end of the day, your purpose is to play rugby. You feel bad if you’re not doing that.
“But once you understand it, all that’s left is to keep moving forward one foot at a time.”
Because of the meniscus problem, he had to wait a month and a half to put any weight on the knee and then progressively increase the amount of weight over the next six weeks. He basically needed three months to reach the stage when a “normal” ACL rehabilitation starts.
It was kind of an irony, as Kernohan points out, since his initial motivation for coming to Ealing was his desire to play.
He earned his senior debut at the age of 19, coming off the bench against Scarlets to begin the 2018/19 season in Dan McFarland’s first game in charge, despite not being accepted into the Ulster Academy upon leaving school.
He would end up playing 19 games during that season and earning eight more caps for the Irish Under-20 team in his second year on Noel McNamara’s squad. He only made three appearances the following year, though, and scored on his lone start in an exciting match that saw the highly rotated Ulster and Leinster teams share 96 points a week before Christmas.
He is still in touch with his former housemates Nick Timoney and Greg Jones at Ravenhill, and he was happy to see James Hume, a contemporary, captain the team last week. However, he regrets not having more confidence when he first entered the scene.
“My first season, which I played in quite a bit, was incredibly nice. Dan simply put me far lower on the list the following season, and when you’re young, playing is really crucial.
“Now that I think about it, I was a very young person and I think I put too much pressure on myself.”
“I would be more assured of my identity and as a player if I could go back and redo everything.”
“while I observe the guys who have gone on to do so well, I believe that it was likely because they had a little bit more self-confidence that they aided while they were on stage.
But I have a lot of delight when I think back on Ulster. Being able to play for the team I grew up loving was an incredible honor, and regardless of how it turns out, I will always be immensely proud of that.
Though, in retrospect, it was a wonderful experience that made it possible for me to come over here, you always want to represent your people and your region. I don’t think I’ll ever lose that. I’m really appreciative of that.
His accomplishments in a green jersey—winning an Under-20s Grand Slam in 2019 and representing the team at the World Championships in Argentina in that same year—equal his pride at being an Ulster player. Key players in Farrell’s squad to play England this afternoon, including Ronan Kelleher, Caelan Doris, Dan Sheehan, and Ryan Baird, were also in his two underage year groups.
He acknowledges, “There’s always a part of you that thinks that could have been me.” Sometimes, I believe it’s easier to veer into wishing that it were you rather than envy.
But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned to just be incredibly supportive of the boys, and it’s wonderful to see them succeeding.
Although it’s great to see Stuart McCloskey getting games and Nick Timione returning to the starting lineup, I must admit that there is always a part of me that wants the Ulster boys to succeed and be selected. That being said, I’m really happy to see the boys I played with doing well.
The others he currently plays with are also doing fairly well. With eight rounds remaining before today’s games, Ealing leads by 13 points. Their roster includes former Ulstermen Ross Kane and Dave O’Connor, who were also in Kernohan’s side, along with a number of other well-known players including Mike Willemse, Lloyd Williams, and Billy Twelvetrees.
After being married in the summer and Judith landing a teaching position that puts their front door within walking distance, he claims he is enjoying life at Ealing except for one nagging annoyance: he hasn’t been promoted from England’s second division yet. The final team to jump was Saracens, as eligibility constraints hindered the ascent of Ealing and the now-defunct Jersey Reds.
“The team we have is crazy,” he exclaims. “When we’ve faced teams from the next level, that really comes through.” This year, we’ve participated in the Cup against Zebre, Newcastle, Gloucester, Saracens, Northampton, and Leicester, and judging by the outcomes and performances, we’ve done a fantastic job.
It’s clear from that that we can play at that level, and it simply doesn’t seem fair that after winning the League and earning that privilege, you can’t play at that level in a competitive game.
It is beyond our control. Though difficult, this is a terrific bunch and an enjoyable team to be a part of.
Even if he’s hoping that his teammates make sure most of those teammates end the week as quietly as they started it this afternoon.
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