Northern Ireland

Welsh rugby wizard stars on GAA debut

Former Welsh rugby international Shane Williams in action for Donegal County champions Glenswilly. Picture by Geraldine Diver
Former Welsh rugby international Shane Williams in action for Donegal County champions Glenswilly. Picture by Geraldine Diver Former Welsh rugby international Shane Williams in action for Donegal County champions Glenswilly. Picture by Geraldine Diver

A rugby legend has been hailed a magician with the round ball after scoring a string of points on his GAA debut in Co Donegal.

Wales' all-time record try scorer Shane Williams took to the field for Donegal county champions Glenswilly as part of the RTÉ series The Toughest Trade.

The show has allowed professional sportsmen to trade places with amateur stars from GAA.

Taking part in a challenge match against St Mary's Convoy on Thursday night, Williams (39) put in an impressive display, chipping in with four points including a free in horrendous conditions.

Last year Mayo All Star Aidan O'Shea took part in rookie trials for the NFL, while Tipperary hurler Brendan Maher swapped his caman for a cricket bat with the Adelaide Strikers in Australia.

Armagh footballer Aaron Kernan has also tried his hand at professional soccer at Sunderland, with former England international David Bentley taking his place at Crossmaglen Rangers

As part of the third series, to be broadcast in March, Donegal star and Glenswilly clubman Michael Murphy will try his luck with the oval ball by spending a week with French Top 14 rugby heavyweights Clermont Auvergne.

Glenswilly described it as a "magic debut" from Williams, with the British and Irish Lion showing the speed and elusiveness which made him a rugby star.

Club chairman Eddie Crawford was clearly impressed with his new full forward.

"He played well," he told the Irish News.

"He's very fast and showed that burst of speed as well as strength and determination. He really wanted to score.

"Ok he got a soft free, but the other points he took from play well. Overall he didn't play bad, he wouldn't look out of place at all.

"We'd rather have (Michael) Murphy though, we'll not swap them just yet," he added.

Williams, who scored 58 international tries before retiring in 2012, had been training with the county champions for the week before the match and even sought advice from former teammate and Irish international Tommy Bowe, a former Monaghan underage footballer.

Speaking ahead of his GAA debut Williams said: "I’ve been to Donegal before, and it’s a lovely part of Ireland, with lovely people, so coming back is great.

"I’ve never watched a full game of Gaelic football as such so I’m really coming into this completely new to the sport and I’m looking forward to it.

"The chance to try something completely different now that I have the time to do it is exciting, and I want to take the challenge on and see how I do.”