Rugby Warrior by Gerard Siggins Read Free Book Online Page B

ground was knocked down a few years ago and they rebuilt it as a brand new stadium. You wouldn’t recognise much of it except the grassy bit. But there’s a photo of your team on the wall there.’
    ‘Really? Well, isn’t that grand. I thought they’d have long forgotten the likes of old Dave Gallaher and Billy Stead. So what’s this about a pro-ject?’
    Eoin explained what he was planning to write about for the Young Historian Competition, and as he talked an idea came into his head.
    ‘I have this book which covers the rugby, and there’s aload of stuff about you on the internet – eh, I’ll explain what that is later – but I can’t find much about your time fighting in the war, and that’s what the teacher wants it to be about. Would you be able to help me with that?’
    ‘Sounds fair,’ said Dave. ‘I think I’ll hang around here for a while. I like the look of Dublin and I see you play a bit of rugby here too. Maybe I could get some work as a trainer?’ He winked at Eoin.

CHAPTER 18
    E oin’s head was starting to hurt as he walked back to the dorm. His attempts to escape the bickering had only given him something even more complicated to think about. It was really nice that Dave had agreed to help him with his project – but why on earth had he suddenly become a magnet for dead rugby players?
    ‘Are you OK, Eoin?’ asked Alan. ‘You look as though you’ve seen a gho— Oh, sorry, that’s the wrong thing to say to YOU!’ he joked.
    ‘Well, actually, I have,’ whispered Eoin. ‘And a new one, too.’
    ‘You’re joking, aren’t you?’ replied Alan, careful to make sure that Rory didn’t hear. He still had his earphones in and looked as if he had fallen asleep.
    ‘No,’ said Eoin. ‘But I don’t want to talk about it. Thisis all getting too weird.’
    He lay down on his bed and closed his eyes. He would have to talk to Mr McRae tomorrow to see who he was thinking of going with at scrum-half. He had been shocked by Dylan’s attack on Rory and how it had showed a new side to his fellow Ormondstown boy. That sort of temper could be dangerous.
    After history class the next day, Mr Lawson called him back for a word.
    ‘I hear you’ve been doing some serious research on Dave Gallaher,’ he said. ‘Mr McDonagh was telling me you tracked down his book on rugby.’
    ‘Yes, sir,’ replied Eoin,. ‘It’s very interesting, although it is only really about rugby. I’m struggling to find information on what he did in the war and all that.
    ‘OK, well I can help you a bit with that,’ said Mr Lawson. ‘I know a few good New Zealand websites that will steer you in the right direction.’
    A knock came to the door, and Mr McRae popped his head in.
    ‘Good morning, Mr Lawson, and Mr Madden, too. How’s your All Black research going?’ he asked.
    ‘It’s going OK, sir,’ Eoin replied. ‘He was a very interesting man – and I found out why he wasn’t in that photo in the Aviva too.’
    ‘Really? That’s good work. And why was that?’
    ‘He was crook, and never got to play in either of the games in his native land.’
    ‘Crook,’ grinned Mr McRae. ‘That’s a very Kiwi word, where did you pick that up?’
    ‘Dave told me himself,’ blurted Eoin, before he realised what he had said. ‘I mean, I mean … I read it in his book.’
    The New Zealanders looked at each other, puzzled, then back at Eoin.
    ‘Eh, OK, Madden, keep up the work and let me know when you need a steer,’ said Mr Lawson. ‘Did you want a word, Mr McRae?’
    ‘No, Greg, it’s actually young Madden I need to talk to,’ replied the coach. ‘Team business …’ he said, with a wink at the pupil.
    As Mr Lawson left for the staffroom for his break, Mr McRae took Eoin out to the rugby field.
    ‘I’m pretty settled on the team for the first game next week,’ he started, ‘but I’m still torn on the scrum-half. Rory fits in well, and is definitely the better team player, but Dylan has a lot more flair