‘Emotional' Tadhg Furlong pauses with Wexford fans following emotional Lions victory in Melbourne
It was a win that clearly meant a lot to the Wexford man, who was left reflecting on how far he'd come, going from the muddy pitches at New Ross RFC to starting the last eight straight tests for the Lions.
With this reflection in mind as the curtain comes down on his Lions career, it was fitting that as he made his way around the pitch, applauding the travelling fans, his eye was drawn to something familiar. The purple and gold of Wexford.
It was a flag being carried by a gang who had set off on the trip of a lifetime to follow the Lions and Tadgh was delighted to stop and chat and pose for a memorable selfie with former Wexford Wanderers captain James Dunne, Phil Jeffares, Tom Codd, Ian Mernagh, Paul Cummings and Scott Mernagh.
In his post match interview, Furlong conceded that the win was 'a little bit emotional'.
"The Lions has played a massive part in my career,' he said. 'Not so much me as a person, but definitely as a rugby player, it's shaped the way I play the game and think about the game.
'It's a bit of a mad one. I know this Lions tour is going to be me kind of closing the book on the Lions. I don't want it to end. It's a great group, it's a special thing to be a Lion. We've a week left to enjoy it but I kind of don't want it to end, as much as I want to go home and see my family.'
Noting the support that the Lions have received, and quite possibly with his chats with the Wexford gang still ringing in his ears, he added: 'It's crazy the amount of people that travel and support us. It's great.'
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