Irish U20 try scoring hero has plenty of Offaly blood

A TRY scoring hero in Ireland's fantastic recent win over England in the Six Nations Rugby U20 Championship has plenty of Offaly blood flowing through his veins.

Portarlington man Lee Fitzpatrick got Ireland going with an early opening try as they steam-rolled a shell-shocked England, 31-20, in Bath a couple of weeks ago.

Having started his rugby career with Portarlington RFC, Fitzgerald name began to emerge as a bright young talent when he went to school in Cistercian College, Roscrea, before moving to Newbridge College.

From Blacklone Street in Portarlington, the Laois man had previously represented Ireland and Leinster at U18 level, played for Ireland U18 schools and is now a member of the much vaunted Leinster academy – the path in to top level rugby for many of Ireland's best players. Lee's sister Alanna is also a very talented rugby player and plays sevens for Ireland.

They also have strong Offaly connections, through both their father and mother. Mother Denise Fitzpatrick is a daughter of Johnny and Ann Carty, who live in Ballycrystal, Geashill and are well known in the area.

Father Scott Fitzpatrick is a son of Walsh Island man, Patsy Fitzpatrick. The original Fitzpatrick family lived on the Mill Lane in Walsh Island – a famous country road where one of Offaly's greatest footballing families, the Connor's grew up while another famous Walsh Island GAA family, the Mulhall's also came from here.

Patsy was corner back on the Offaly team that won the Leinster Minor Football Championship in 1965.

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There is plenty of Offaly interest in the Ireland U20 side. Another of their heroes was Rob Carney, who had an excellent game against England. Rob, who is playing with Cashel RFC in the All-Ireland League, and his twin Fionn first came to the attention of the Offaly sporting public when playing minor football for Offaly. That was unusual in that they came from very strong hurling territory in the deep south of the county but emerged in football.

Rob played minor football for Offaly in 2022 and 2023 with Fionn playing in 2023 – Rob was a strong, hard running footballer while Fionn was a delightfully skilful, nippy forward. The duo both played minor hurling for Offaly in 2023, playing their club fare with Ballyskenach-Killavilla at that stage before transferring to Shinrone in 2024. They were pivotal to Cloghan winning a historic Minor Football Championship title in 2023 – the St Rynagh's based Cloghan had permission players from a number of hurling only clubs across south Offaly and the Carney's had developed their football with them from a young age,

It was also clear from a young age that they were excellent rugby players and could concentrate on that game in adulthood. Fionn is also a very good rugby player and has featured on the Irish U20 squad as well – they went to Cistercian College in Roscrea.