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Goggin Reflects on His Rugby Journey from Munster to St Mary’s

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Former Munster centre Dan Goggin has transitioned to amateur rugby with St Mary’s in the All-Ireland League after a challenging season in France’s Pro D2 with Montauban. Goggin’s reflections reveal a journey marked by ups and downs, culminating in his decision to return to Ireland.

In his first season in France, Goggin found the experience enriching, noting, “It’s not a bad thing to open up to the world, and it was a super experience.” He expressed a deep appreciation for French culture and language, despite the difficulties he encountered on the pitch. Initially, the season began positively, but as the team faced a series of losses after Christmas, morale plummeted.

“We went into turmoil a bit, even though we had an extremely good team on paper,” Goggin explained. “We ended up in a relegation battle. Thankfully we survived, but I decided by March that I didn’t want to continue doing this if I’m not enjoying it.”

Goggin chose to leave Montauban and rejoin St Mary’s, which he described as the logical step given his desire for a more fulfilling rugby experience. He noted that Montauban subsequently secured a new coaching staff and achieved promotion to the Top 14, highlighting the rapid changes that can occur in rugby.

“Who knows if I’d have stayed, would I be playing in the Top 14 now? But I don’t regret the decision I made whatsoever,” he stated. Despite receiving offers from other teams in France, Goggin felt uncertain about the coaching setups and the overall environment, which ultimately influenced his choice to return home.

Since joining St Mary’s, Goggin has rediscovered his passion for the game. The club has started the 2023/24 season on a high note, winning their first two matches in Division 1A. Goggin played a pivotal role in the team’s success, having been named the All-Ireland League’s player of the year just over two years after leaving Munster.

Reflecting on his time at Munster, Goggin cherished the seven years he spent with the club, where he made 81 appearances. “I would have loved for it to continue longer, but probably at my own hand, that came to an end,” he shared. His departure in March 2023 followed a lengthy ban due to an incident in a club match, which led to a temporary setback in his career.

The ban stemmed from an accidental injury inflicted during a game while he was playing for Young Munster. Despite this setback, Goggin appealed the suspension, successfully reducing it to three matches, which ultimately allowed him to continue his career abroad in France.

As a player, Goggin has always favored the centre position. However, due to injuries within the St Mary’s squad last season, he adapted to playing in the back row for the first time. He described this transition as a natural progression, stating, “Being a bigger body in the back, it kind of makes sense… I really enjoyed it.”

Goggin’s two wins with St Mary’s this season included significant victories against reigning champions Clontarf and his former team, Young Munster. He acknowledged the importance of Young Munster in his early development, recalling, “They took me in like one of their own… It made me feel at home.”

Despite his fondness for Young Munster, Goggin felt that a change was necessary. “I think I needed a change from Limerick. If I was to come back to Ireland, I think Dublin was the right place for me,” he noted.

As he continues his rugby career at St Mary’s, Goggin remains optimistic about the future. “I hope to play for a good few more years,” he affirmed, embracing the opportunities that lie ahead. His journey underscores the unpredictability of a sports career, along with the importance of personal happiness and fulfillment in the game.

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