Rugby Warrior by Gerard Siggins Read Free Book Online

Eoin complained to Alan on Sunday morning as they lounged around in the dorm. ‘I can’t pick the team, and Mr McRae has very strong views on what he wants. And Mr Carey has been raving about Dylan every time I’ve seen him.’
    ‘Just stay out of it, Eoin,’ said Alan. ‘Rory can be very selfish at times; it’s best to let him stew on this till the first team is picked.’
    ‘I know, I know,’ said Eoin. ‘Anyway, change the subject . Did I tell you what happened when I went over tothe library a couple of nights ago?’
    ‘No,’ replied Alan.
    ‘I got out that book by Dave Gallaher, the guy who I’m doing the project on. It’s an ancient book, but I couldn’t believe it when I opened it and saw that it used to be owned by Brian Hanrahan!’
    ‘Who’s Brian Hanrahan?’ asked Alan.
    ‘Brian. The old player. The ghost,’ said Eoin.
    ‘Wow, that’s a coincidence. It’s more than a coincidence – it’s downright spooky.’
    ‘Yeah, but as soon as I opened it, who appeared behind me but Brian himself––’
    ‘You saw a GHOST? In CASTLEROCK?’ spluttered Alan.
    ‘Yeah, he didn’t stay long because that Mr McDonagh disturbed us. I’m going to see if he’ll come back now. Want to come over to the library?’
    ‘Of course!’ said Alan. ‘Let me get my hoodie.’
    The pair jogged over to the library and Eoin asked the librarian for the rugby book.
    They wandered down to the back of the room, trying not to look too obviously suspicious. Eoin laid the book on the table and opened it at the title page.
    ‘That’s amazing,’ said Alan. ‘Now how do you make him appear?’
    ‘I dunno.’ said Eoin, ‘He just did, last time.’
    ‘Maybe he won’t appear because I’m here?’
    ‘Well, he did say that he had never been seen by anyone in over eighty years, so maybe there’s something about me that means I can see him. But only when I’m on my own.’
    ‘But what about the final?’ asked Alan. ‘There were thousands there that day and you were still able to see him?’
    ‘I don’t know,’ said Eoin. ‘I don’t make up the rules of this.’
    They tried shaking the book, or rubbing it, but still there was no sign of Brian. Eoin shrugged his shoulders and headed back to the counter.
    ‘Ah, thank you for that, young man. Will you be needing it again?’ asked the librarian.
    ‘I will,’ replied Eoin. ‘I have to do a project on the writer for the Young Historian Competition.’
    ‘Hmmmm,’ said the librarian. ‘I have to go away for a few weeks, and I’m not sure how often the library will be open in my absence as it relies on voluntary work. But you have been very careful with this book and I’m sure you will continue to do so. I will sign it out to you for the term of my absence – no one has looked at it in decades so I’m there won’t be too many complaints,’he grinned.
    Eoin and Alan wandered back to the dormitory, where Rory lay moping on his bed with his earbuds in. They gave him a nod, which he barely returned.
    Right behind them, Dylan bounced into the room, looking very happy with himself.
    ‘Howya, lads,’ he roared. ‘All looking good for the game next week? When’s the team getting picked?’
    Rory took the buds from his ear and stood up. ‘It will be out soon enough. They’ll pin it on the noticeboard downstairs. And maybe you could get someone educated to read it out for you, you Limerick skanger—’
    With that, Dylan leapt across the room like an angry wolf. He grabbed Rory by the throat and roared in his face.
    ‘Who’s a skanger, who’s a skanger?’ he yelled.
    Eoin pulled at Dylan’s shoulder. ‘Get off him, Dylan, NOW!’
    Dylan turned and sneered at Eoin.
    ‘You’re all the same when you’re up here, Madden, aren’t you. No time for the boys from back home, eh?’
    Dylan let go of Rory, and turned to walk away. ‘Don’t EVER call me that again, Grehan, or I’ll rip you to pieces. And you know I can.’
    As soon as Dylan left, Rory lay