THE MAKING OF… DAN SHEEHAN
Article by Paul Martin (Guinness Six Nations)
There are countless examples of Guinness Six Nations players who appeared destined to play international rugby almost from the moment they could walk.
Yet despite being one of the breakout stars of the side currently ranked top of the world, Dan Sheehan is not among them.
The Ireland hooker has taken a road less travelled to his current spot in the iconic green No.2 jersey sported by legends such as Keith Wood and Rory Best before him.
From Bective Rangers to Bucharest and the school second XV to the Six Nations, this is Sheehan’s story by those who have helped him along the way…
EARLY DAYS OF ‘ROUGH AND TUMBLE’
Born in Dublin, Sheehan began his rugby journey at the age of five – around the time he rubbed shoulders (and matched haircuts) with all-time great Jonah Lomu – at one of Ireland’s oldest clubs.
Bective Rangers, established in 1881, counts Johnny Sexton and Ronan Kelleher among those who have come through their Minis section and coach Johnny Vaughan fondly recalls seeing a young Sheehan displaying his promise.
“He just stood out,” Vaughan said. “He had light feet, a good sidestep and he was big for his age, even then.
Dan Sheehan (right) celebrates after Bective Rangers win an Under-7s tournament
“You would give Dan the ball and he would score nine times out of 10 – you were almost guaranteed a try. He was a strong tackler when that came in, too.
“He always took it seriously, even at that age, and he never had a smile on his face. We had to try and cheer him up!”
Sheehan would attend those training sessions with his younger brother, Bobby, the pair brought along by parents Barry and Sinead.
“Dan always liked rough and tumble,” Barry recalled.
“Himself and Bobby would knock lumps out of each other in the garden, so to find 20 or 30 other lads who were up for it was great for them.
“There was a really nice community there of encouraging coaches who were focused on the lads enjoying it.”
The feeling was mutual, with Vaughan adding: “I loved getting up on a Sunday morning and going down to coach those guys. They were a dream to coach.”……..Read More
