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| Peter Synnott (L), playing for his current club, Esher. |
There are many Irish international rugby stars that can attribute their sports upbringing to the GAA. Players such as Shane Horgan, Geordan Murphy, Gavin Duffy, Tommy Bowe, and Rob Kearney, to name but a few.
But few can claim to represent one of the most prestigious and iconic rugby teams – the Barbarians.
Being asked to represent the Barbarians is one of the highest accolades a rugby player can achieve in his career. This Wednesday, Clontarf Rugby Club will welcome the Barbarians to Castle Avenue in what is being dubbed 'The Real Battle of Clontarf'.
The match has been organised in line with celebrations which have been held over the weekend, marking the millennium anniversary of the historic- Battle of Clontarf.
The tradition of the Barbarians dates back to 1890, to the inception of Rugby Union. Their jersey is black and white hoops with black shorts. However, the socks of each player are unique, as they don the socks of their club team.
Dubliner, Peter Synnott, will be lining out for the Barbarians on Wednesday evening, and he will be wearing his clubs socks. However, they are not the socks of his current rugby club, Esher, based in London. They will be the green and white socks of O'Tooles GAA Club.
Synnott is a talented rugby player who has played at a high level for many years. However, he will never forget his ties to St Laurence O'Tooles, in north Dublin.
The Synnott family have a tradition with O'Tooles going back four generations. Peter's great-grandfather was actually on the field representing Dublin during the infamous Bloody Sunday match, in November 1920 in Croke Park.
Peter, the youngest of three brothers, played most of his Gaelic career two years above his age bracket. This helped mould him into the tough, physically strong athlete that he is today.
In 2003, Peter won the Dublin Feile. This resulted in a call up to the Dublin Under 14 hurling squad. It was clear from a young age that Peter would be a highly talented sportsman.
He played alongside current Dublin inter-county hurlers such as Oisin Gough, David Treacy, Paul Schutte, and Peter Kelly. His love of GAA was tribal. However, his love of rugby became more prevalent during his secondary level schooling in Belvedere College. Peter emerged as a tough-tackling, powerful ball-carrier, comfortable anywhere along the back-row.
He played alongside current Dublin inter-county hurlers such as Oisin Gough, David Treacy, Paul Schutte, and Peter Kelly. His love of GAA was tribal. However, his love of rugby became more prevalent during his secondary level schooling in Belvedere College. Peter emerged as a tough-tackling, powerful ball-carrier, comfortable anywhere along the back-row.
However, what was unusual about the man who usually starred for Belvedere at number seven was that he was also their place kicker. The obscurity of a back-row forward assuming kicking duties stems from his early days playing Gaelic football.
He kicked the winning penalty from within his own half to help Belvedere win the schools cup against St Marys in 2008.
Peter now resides in London and plays semi-professional rugby for Esher. They play in the National League One, which is the third division of rugby in England. He has earned a successful living in construction management and still gets paid for playing semi-professional rugby.
Before departing for England, Peter starred for the Leinster schools team and Leinster Under 20 team. He played alongside established professional players such as current Irish Internationals Ian Madigan and Jack McGrath at Leinster, Tom Sexton at the Melbourne Rebels, and Eamonn Sheridan at London Irish during his spell in the Leinster underage setup. Peter also represented Leinster 'A' against Glasgow in 2008.
Before departing for England, Peter starred for the Leinster schools team and Leinster Under 20 team. He played alongside established professional players such as current Irish Internationals Ian Madigan and Jack McGrath at Leinster, Tom Sexton at the Melbourne Rebels, and Eamonn Sheridan at London Irish during his spell in the Leinster underage setup. Peter also represented Leinster 'A' against Glasgow in 2008.
He appeared for Clontarf too in the 2009/10 season under the management of Bernard Jackman, now head coach of Grenoble in the Top 14.
When he first moved to London, the multi-talented sportsman played for London Irish 'A' before transferring to Esher. Peter even captained London Irish in the JP Morgan Sevens Competition in 2012. He still has great ambitions to return to the Championship with Esher and play in the second division of English rugby.
His kicking ability has never left him, as the flanker still often assumes kicking duties for Esher. If he ever returns to Dublin, Peter would love to play GAA once more for his beloved O'Tooles.
But for now, there will be a proud O'Tooles representative playing for the most historic rugby team in the game. The Barbarians is an honour bestowed to few rugby players, and Peter is aware of the responsibility that comes with the chance of playing for the 'Baa-Baas'.
There is no doubt Peter would not be the successful rugby player that he is today without his time at O'Tooles GAA club. He immersed himself in sport from a young age. He has transferred the abilities he amassed playing GAA to his rugby career.
A rugby career which has been awash with highlights; although none bigger than representing the Barbarians in his hometown of Dublin.
For Peter, the Synnott family, O'Tooles GAA club, Belvedere College, and Clontarf rugby club, Wednesday night is sure to be a proud and inspiring night for everyone involved.
When he first moved to London, the multi-talented sportsman played for London Irish 'A' before transferring to Esher. Peter even captained London Irish in the JP Morgan Sevens Competition in 2012. He still has great ambitions to return to the Championship with Esher and play in the second division of English rugby.
His kicking ability has never left him, as the flanker still often assumes kicking duties for Esher. If he ever returns to Dublin, Peter would love to play GAA once more for his beloved O'Tooles.
But for now, there will be a proud O'Tooles representative playing for the most historic rugby team in the game. The Barbarians is an honour bestowed to few rugby players, and Peter is aware of the responsibility that comes with the chance of playing for the 'Baa-Baas'.
There is no doubt Peter would not be the successful rugby player that he is today without his time at O'Tooles GAA club. He immersed himself in sport from a young age. He has transferred the abilities he amassed playing GAA to his rugby career.
A rugby career which has been awash with highlights; although none bigger than representing the Barbarians in his hometown of Dublin.
For Peter, the Synnott family, O'Tooles GAA club, Belvedere College, and Clontarf rugby club, Wednesday night is sure to be a proud and inspiring night for everyone involved.
S.DAWSON 24/04/14
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