Eoin Griffin
Encyclopedia
Eoin Griffin is an Irish
professional rugby union
player. Griffin plays mainly at outside centre for provincial side Connacht
and was involved in the Ireland U-20 team which captured the Six Nations title in 2009.
, Galway
. As a child he enjoyed Wind Surfing with friends Finn Gormley and Niall Crehan, also playing Soccer with Salthill Devon
and Gaelic football
with Salthill-Knocknacarra
before settling on rugby with Corinthians
thanks to the unfaltering guidance of his inspirational brother, Hugh. His first taste of sporting success came when, under friend Shane Conneely, their Corinthians team achieved a Under 14 League/Cup double – The first in the clubs history since another recognised sportsman, Johnny O'Connor
played for the club. A major influence in his career was the ever-present rugby star Colin Conroy who continues to impress in the provincial circuit. He was educated at Colaiste Iognaid where he lost the Connacht Junior Cup to Garbally College
after overcoming a valiant St. Joseph's Patrician College "The Bish"
effort led by Crew member Paul Connolly. Shortly after this defeat the young Griffin suffered the first setback of his rapidly progressing career, tearing his cruciate ligament
. Overcoming this he went on to become a two-time winner of the Senior Cup. Lauded for his performances in both campaigns he was capped
for Ireland Youths and Ireland 20s
.
. He has impressed with his conditioning, holding several in house gym records. Recently, he was given the post of passing coach at the Connacht branch. Scored a try on his first competitive start for the province in their defeat to the Llanelli Scarlets
on 25 April 2010.
Impressed many with a stellar Man of the Match
performance in Connacht's historic 26–22 win over Samoa
on 9 November 2010 leading to speculation of a greater involvement within the Irish ranks going forward and with some pundits suggesting a 2011 Rugby World Cup
place.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
professional rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
player. Griffin plays mainly at outside centre for provincial side Connacht
Connacht Rugby
Connacht Rugby is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Connacht that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 comprising teams from the Celtic nations plus Italy. Normally, it also competes in the second-tier pan-European club competition, the European Challenge Cup...
and was involved in the Ireland U-20 team which captured the Six Nations title in 2009.
Early life
Griffin was born in BarnaBarna
Bearna is a Gaeltacht village west of Galway city in County Galway, Ireland, on the R336 regional road. Once a satellite of Galway city, the village is now rapidly becoming one of its suburbs. Officially the village is regarded as Irish speaking and is therefore a constituent part of the regions...
, Galway
Galway
Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the...
. As a child he enjoyed Wind Surfing with friends Finn Gormley and Niall Crehan, also playing Soccer with Salthill Devon
Salthill Devon F.C.
Salthill Devon F.C. is an Irish football club currently playing in the League of Ireland First Division in the Republic of Ireland. The club hails from Salthill, Ireland and play their home matches at Drom Clubhouse. Club colours are light blue and white stripes and their current manager is Paul...
and Gaelic football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
with Salthill-Knocknacarra
Salthill-Knocknacarra
Salthill-Knocknacarra is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the Salthill and Knocknacarra areas in Galway City, Ireland. The club is a member of the Galway GAA...
before settling on rugby with Corinthians
Galway Corinthians RFC
Galway Corinthians Rugby Football Club is a rugby club in Galway, Ireland. The club was founded in 1932 and plays in the Second division of the Irish domestic club competition the Allied Irish Banks All Ireland League . The Club's home ground is at Corinthian Park, Cloonacauneen, Co...
thanks to the unfaltering guidance of his inspirational brother, Hugh. His first taste of sporting success came when, under friend Shane Conneely, their Corinthians team achieved a Under 14 League/Cup double – The first in the clubs history since another recognised sportsman, Johnny O'Connor
Johnny O'Connor
Johnny O'Connor is a rugby union player for Connacht in the RaboDirect Pro12, and his position of choice is as a Flanker.He has played for Wasps in the Guinness Premiership before returning to Connacht....
played for the club. A major influence in his career was the ever-present rugby star Colin Conroy who continues to impress in the provincial circuit. He was educated at Colaiste Iognaid where he lost the Connacht Junior Cup to Garbally College
Garbally College
Garbally College is a Catholic, boys-only, secondary school based in Ballinasloe, County Galway, Ireland. It is officially known as St Joseph's College .-History:...
after overcoming a valiant St. Joseph's Patrician College "The Bish"
The Bish
St. Joseph's Patrician College often known as 'The Bish' is a secondary school in Galway city, Ireland. It was founded by the Patrician Brothers, a religious order, and has approximately 800 students. on roll...
effort led by Crew member Paul Connolly. Shortly after this defeat the young Griffin suffered the first setback of his rapidly progressing career, tearing his cruciate ligament
Cruciate ligament
Cruciate ligaments are pairs of ligaments arranged like a letter X. They occur in several joints of the body, such as the knee...
. Overcoming this he went on to become a two-time winner of the Senior Cup. Lauded for his performances in both campaigns he was capped
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
for Ireland Youths and Ireland 20s
Ireland national under-20 rugby union team
The Ireland under 20 rugby team was formed in 2006. In 2007 they won the Grand Slam at the under 20 Six Nations. The current coach is Mike Ruddock.-Current squad:Squad at the 2011 IRB Junior World Championship .-External links:* at Irish Rugby.ie...
.
Connacht
Griffin is currently a member of the Connacht squad based in his hometown of Galway, signed a professional contract after impressing with the Academy and was first called into the matchday squad against Olympus Rugby MadridOlympus Rugby XV Madrid
Olympus Rugby XV Madrid are a rugby union team that competed in the European Challenge Cup. The side is a team that was formed every season to play in the Challenge Cup, consisting of footballers playing in the domestic Spanish leagues...
. He has impressed with his conditioning, holding several in house gym records. Recently, he was given the post of passing coach at the Connacht branch. Scored a try on his first competitive start for the province in their defeat to the Llanelli Scarlets
Llanelli Scarlets
The Scarlets are one of the four professional Welsh regional rugby union teams. Based in Llanelli, south-west Wales the team play at the Parc y Scarlets stadium. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12, as well as competing in the LV= Cup and the Heineken Cup...
on 25 April 2010.
Impressed many with a stellar Man of the Match
Man of the match
In sport, a Man of the Match or Player of the Game or Man of the Series award is given to the outstanding player, almost always the one who makes the most impact, in a particular match or series. The term was originally used more often in cricket before being adopted by other sports. This can be a...
performance in Connacht's historic 26–22 win over Samoa
Samoa national rugby union team
The Manu Samoa is the men's representative side of the Samoa Rugby Union in both the 15's and the 7's for international competitions. The Samoa Rugby Union is owned by the affiliated rugby unions of Samoa. In Samoa, Manu Samoa is in honour of a famous Samoan warrior. From 1924 to 1997 Samoa was...
on 9 November 2010 leading to speculation of a greater involvement within the Irish ranks going forward and with some pundits suggesting a 2011 Rugby World Cup
2011 Rugby World Cup
The 2011 Rugby World Cup was the seventh Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union competition inaugurated in 1987. The International Rugby Board selected New Zealand as the host country in preference to Japan and South Africa at a meeting in Dublin on 17 November 2005...
place.