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…’
    ‘Really?’ said Eoin. ‘Why was he playing for New Zealand then?’
    ‘Well, I’m not sure of the details, but I think his family immigrated to New Zealand when he was a baby. That was an amazing journey to take at the time, sailing in a steam ship which took months. He grew up to be one of our greatest players, and wrote the best book about playing the game that I’ve ever read. My first coach told me he thought it was the start of modern rugby coaching and I can’t argue with that.
    ‘His story is still remembered in New Zealand though because he lost his life in the First World War. When I was still playing I had a season in Auckland and we got to the final of the Dave Gallaher Shield. I’m glad to see he’s not forgotten in his native land too.’
    ‘Well that’s an amazing story,’ said Mr Finn. ‘I must look him up on the Google-machine in the staff room. And he was from Ireland, you say?’
    ‘Yeah, a place called Donny-gal, is it?’
    ‘Ah yes, Donegal. We pronounce it “Dunny-gawl” here.’
    ‘It’s funny that he’s not in this picture.’ said Mr McRae, ‘Maybe you could find out why on the Google-thing too, Mr Finn?’
    Eoin laughed and excused himself before he wandered over to where his friends were tucking into the last of the chicken goujons and cocktail sausages.
    ‘That was a great dig at Duffy,’ said Alan, ‘He totally tried to blank you but you ended up an even bigger legend.’
    ‘Yeah, well I decided this summer I’m not going to stand for any rubbish from Duffy any more. Bullies like him just need to be taken on. He’s a coward really, and I think if we all stand together and stand up to him he won’t be able to bully us all.
    ‘I even told Mr McRae that he wouldn’t make a good captain this year. I told him in front of Duffy too. I think that shocked him a bit – that’s why he was trying to get back at me today.’
    ‘Wow, Eoin, that was brave,’ said Rory, who like mostof the boys had been one of Duffy’s victims. ‘You’ll want to watch your back, though. He’ll try to get at you in other ways.’
    ‘Whatever,’ said Eoin, with a grin. ‘You heard the cheer – I’ve got the guys behind me. I’ll be all right.’

CHAPTER 11
    A s the boys marched back to their bus, Eoin tapped Alan on the shoulder.
    ‘That’s where it all started, that’s where I first met Brian,’ he said, pointing to the corridor that led to the treatment room.
    ‘Who’s Brian?’ asked Alan.
    Eoin reddened as he realised he had blurted out his secret, distracted by the excitement of the evening and the return to the scene of the most amazing days of his life.
    ‘Eh … eh … I mean … where we went on the stadium tour …’ Eoin stammered, unconvincingly.
    ‘You mentioned some guy called Brian before. What’s that all about?’ asked Alan.
    Eoin stopped and looked at his feet.
    ‘OK, but it’s a long story, and a bit unbelievable, really,’ he said, ‘but I’ll tell you all about it later.’
    ‘Hmmm,’ said Alan, looking quizzically at his friend. OK, how about a stroll around the grounds when we get back. I need to work all that pizza off,’ he said, slapping his belly.
    The rugby players climbed back onto the bus for the journey back to Castlerock. Eoin sat quietly at the back with Alan, and the pair were a bit surprised to see Richie Duffy and Dylan get on the bus together, laughing and joking.
    ‘What’s Duffy up to, I wonder?’ mused Alan. ‘He’d usually have the new boy crying in the corner by now.’
    ‘Dylan wants Rory’s place on the team,’ replied Eoin. ‘It looks like he thinks sucking up to the captain is the best way to do it.’
    ‘Oooh, that could get very messy!’ said Alan. ‘Being on the first-fifteen means everything to Rory. Our little dorm mightn’t be so happy if Dylan takes his place.’
    ‘I know, but Dylan is tough. I’m afraid his ambition could be a problem for us all.’
    The return bus journey passed peacefully,