Carr's European League Journey

by Shane Cassells
Fingal Independent

RUGBY League may not be a very high profile sport in Ireland but there certainly are plenty of players making a name for themselves in this code. One notable addition to the list is Swords youngster Peter Carr who lined out for the European Celts team in the inaugural U-16 European Nations Rugby League tournament in Serbia last month.

Carr (15) has been playing for Swords RFC for the past three years and currently captains the U-16 team. His progress in the centre line has been very impressive and his talent in the Union code has been well noted by his coach John Prendergast.
However, like all good athletes Carr has looked at other sports to challenge himself and during the closed season for the Union code the River Valley youngster started to play Rugby League in order to keep fit.

Playing for the North East Eagles, who are based in ALSAA, Carr has developed a taste for the game of League and showed the necessary skills to do well. Indeed, he performed so well that he progressed to the adult side and once there his Australian coach Conan Uphill nominated him for the trials for this hybrid side. Carr proved successful and was now part of the European Celts team which will competed in the European RL under 16's tournament. In another first for the sport, the matches were hosted by the Serbian Rugby League, in Belgrade.

Six teams contested the trophy, including the European Celts, which will be made up of youngsters from Wales, the Czech Republic and Ireland.
This arrangement has come about as a result of the Welsh Rugby League having offered to help out new nations developing the code.
Looking forward to the tournament the young Colaiste Choilm student said he is delighted to get the chance to play on the international stage and emulate his heroes such as Brian O'Driscoll and Ronan O'Gara.