Sport and grief arrived together this week for Ireland's under-20 rugby squad, gathered in South Africa to compete for a world championship while absorbing the sudden deaths of two young men — Andrew O'Donnell and Max Wall — who died on holiday in Greece. Six of their former St Michael's College schoolmates now carry that loss into Tuesday's match against Fiji in Stellenbosch, where black armbands will mark the boundary between competition and mourning. It is a reminder that even in the midst of collective ambition, the private weight of loss does not pause for the schedule.
Ireland U20s to wear black armbands for St Michael's pupils who died in Greece
Two St Michael's College pupils, Andrew O'Donnell and Max Wall, died while on holiday in Ios, Greece, affecting six former students in the Ireland U20 squad.
A call came while he was on holiday in Budapest. A flight was booked.
Mark
Why did the IRFU need to petition World Rugby for permission to wear the armbands? Isn't that a standard tribute?
Mimi
World Rugby has strict uniform regulations for international matches. Any deviation from the standard kit requires approval. The IRFU made the case, and World Rugby agreed it was appropriate.
Luke
The source doesn't explain what World Rugby's normal position is on armbands or whether this was unusual. We know they approved it, but not whether they typically do.
Mark
Six players from one school in the squad—that's a significant concentration. How much does that shape the team's emotional state going into the match?
Mimi
It's substantial. These aren't distant losses; the players knew Andrew and Max. The team doctor is providing active support, which suggests the coaching staff recognizes this isn't just a news story for them—it's personal.
Luke
We don't know how close the six players were to the two who died, or how the broader squad is processing it. The source tells us Murphy spoke on behalf of the group and that O'Flanagan is offering pastoral care, but not the actual impact on team cohesion or focus.
Mark
Sam Berman was literally on holiday when he got the call. That's a jarring interruption.
Mimi
He was in the middle of an Interrail trip to Budapest when the IRFU booked him a flight home and then to South Africa. He'll play against Fiji just days later.
Luke
We don't know what Berman's emotional state is, whether he wanted to return, or how he's coping. The source reports the logistical fact but not the human reality of that decision.
Mark
Is this match still competitive, or is it overshadowed?
Mimi
Ireland needs to win to guarantee a semi-final spot. They're the Six Nations champions, so there's still a tournament to play. The armbands are a tribute, but the match itself still matters.
Luke
The source doesn't address whether the emotional weight might affect performance, or whether the team is focused on the result. That's speculation territory, though—we only know what happened, not what it will mean on the pitch.
El Pulso
- Two St Michael's College pupils died over the weekend in Ios, Greece, sending shockwaves to teammates thousands of miles away in South Africa.
- Six former schoolmates in the Ireland U20 squad must now prepare for a high-stakes World Championship match while processing the sudden loss of people they knew.
- Sam Berman was pulled from an Interrail holiday in Budapest and flown across two continents to rejoin the squad in time to start at centre.
- The IRFU petitioned World Rugby to allow black armbands — a small but significant act of institutional recognition for private grief on a public stage.
- Ireland still needs a win against Fiji to secure a cup semi-final berth, with coach Richie Murphy making ten changes and managing both tactical and emotional pressures simultaneously.
- The team's doctor is providing pastoral care to affected players, as the squad attempts to hold grief and competition in the same hands.
Sport and grief arrived together this week for Ireland's under-20 rugby squad, gathered in South Africa to compete for a world championship while absorbing the sudden deaths of two young men — Andrew O'Donnell and Max Wall — who died on holiday in Greece. Six of their former St Michael's College schoolmates now carry that loss into Tuesday's match against Fiji in Stellenbosch, where black armbands will mark the boundary between competition and mourning. It is a reminder that even in the midst of collective ambition, the private weight of loss does not pause for the schedule.
Two St Michael's College pupils, Andrew O'Donnell and Max Wall, died while on holiday in Ios, Greece over the weekend. The news reached Ireland's under-20 squad mid-preparation in South Africa, where six of the boys' former schoolmates are competing at the World Championship. When Ireland faces Fiji in Stellenbosch on Tuesday, those players will wear black armbands — a gesture the IRFU requested and World Rugby approved.
Head coach Richie Murphy described the loss as devastating, particularly for the six St Michael's alumni in his squad who knew the two young men personally. As a father himself, Murphy said the grief extended well beyond the players directly affected. Team doctor Barry O'Flanagan has been providing pastoral support to help them navigate what happened.
Among those affected is Sam Berman, who was Interrailing in Budapest when he received word that a flight had been arranged to bring him home and then on to South Africa. He will start at inside centre against Fiji. Dan Barron will make his debut at openside flanker, while Henry McErlean — returning from a hamstring injury that forced Harry West's withdrawal — resumes his place at fullback. James Nicholson, Fintan Gunne, and Conor O'Tighearnaigh complete the St Michael's contingent in the squad.
Murphy has made ten changes in total from the side that beat Australia. Wing Josh Costello was drafted in from Ireland's Sevens program in Dublin and was expected to land in Cape Town on Monday night. A win over Fiji would seal a cup semi-final place and complete an undefeated pool campaign for the Six Nations Grand Slam champions. Murphy anticipates a more formidable Fiji side in dry, firm conditions — a sharp contrast to the waterlogged pitch where they were heavily beaten by England. Kickoff is at 12:30 Irish time on Tuesday.
Two St Michael's College pupils, Andrew O'Donnell and Max Wall, died while on holiday in Ios, Greece, over the weekend. The news reached Ireland's under-20 rugby squad in South Africa, where six former students of the school were preparing for their final pool match at the World Championship. On Tuesday, when Ireland faces Fiji in Stellenbosch, those players will wear black armbands—a gesture the Irish Rugby Football Union requested and World Rugby approved.
Head coach Richie Murphy spoke for the group in the aftermath. He described the loss as devastating, particularly for the six St Michael's boys in his squad who knew the two pupils well. As a father himself, Murphy said the weight of the news extended beyond the immediate circle of players. The team's doctor, Barry O'Flanagan, has been offering pastoral support to help the affected players process what happened.
One of those players is Sam Berman, who was on an Interrail holiday to Budapest when he received a call that a flight had been booked to bring him home to Dublin and then on to South Africa. Berman will start in the midfield against Fiji, wearing the number 13 jersey. Dan Barron, a Dublin University player, will make his debut at openside flanker. The other four St Michael's alumni in the squad are Henry McErlean, who returns as fullback; James Nicholson; Fintan Gunne; and Conor O'Tighearnaigh.
Murphy has made ten changes to the team that defeated Australia in the previous match. Harry West, the original fullback, withdrew after damaging a hamstring in training on Sunday. Josh Costello, a Munster and Shannon wing who was training with Ireland's Sevens program in Dublin, has been added to the squad and is expected to arrive in Cape Town on Monday night. McErlean's return to the starting lineup means the team will have its first-choice fullback in place for the match.
The victory Ireland needs against Fiji would secure a place in the cup semi-finals and cap an undefeated pool campaign for the Six Nations Grand Slam champions. Fiji arrives having retained twelve players from their opening loss to Australia and fourteen survivors from a heavy defeat to England. Murphy expects a stronger performance from the Pacific Island side in dry conditions on firm ground, a contrast to the waterlogged pitch where they played England in torrential rain.
Ruadhán Quinn, who suffered a head injury against Australia, has progressed through stages two and three of the concussion protocol and may be available for a semi-final if Ireland advances. The match kicks off at 12:30 Irish time on Tuesday, with South African referee M. Ferreira overseeing the game.
Citas Notables
We are massively devastated to hear of the passing of Max Wall and Andrew O'Donnell. We have a number of St Michael's guys here in the squad who know them well.— Richie Murphy, Ireland U20 head coach
Quieres la nota completa?
Lee el original en The Irish Times ↗
Sports