Longford RFC player Yaw answers Ireland's call

Longford RFC player Yaw Appiah got to don the green of Ireland as he participated in a recent U18s international rugby fixtures. Yaw was part of a 29-man U18 squad selected to travel to Wales for a week-long rugby development camp with their Welsh, Scottish and Italian counterparts.
Longford RFC on their Facebook page congratulated their young member on his “fantastic achievement”.

Earlier this year Yaw was selected for the Leinster Rugby U18 club squad. Yaw, who attends Wilson's Hospital in Multyfarnham, has been a regular feature on the Midlands development squad.
Last week the International squads trained together at Cardiff University over the week with a final day consisting of three thirty minute matches against each of the other teams.

On Monday Yaw was back in Ireland and training with the Leinster U18 squad. He told the Leader of his shock at getting Ireland's call: “It came as a very big surprise. I had just finished training and my brother called me to say the coaches had called and that I was selected. It was a big surprise, I really didn't see it coming.”
The talented young player had the support of his family for the game: “My brother, Kofi, came to watch, that was really great.”

Yaw thanked his coach John 'Freddy' Ford for the support and encouragement he has received. Speaking of his international outing the centre said it was very enjoyable: “It was a great experience. I learned a lot. It was great to represent Ireland, and of course to represent everyone from Longford. It was really exciting.”

The prospect of playing again in green is something Yaw is looking forward to: “If I play well in the Leinster inter provincial games I may get called up again.”

Yaw's mother, Love Appiah, is delighted with her son's achievements: “I am very proud of him, I give God all the glory. I work in a hospital and I was working on the night he was playing so I was not able to go, but his brother, Kofi, went to the games in Cardiff.”