O'Toole plays part in historic day for Irish rugby
Grand Slam winners all right. Tom O'Toole who has close connections Ratoath came on as second-half substitute as Ireland recorded a 29-16 victory over England to win the Six Nations Grand Slam at the Aviva today.
It might have been the fourth time Ireland won a Grand Slam but it was the first time it was claimed in Dublin. History was made.
The first Slam was bagged in 1948 in Ravenhill, the second in Cardiff in 2009 and the third in Twickenham in 2018.
Born in Drogheda, O'Toole lived in Ratoath until he was six years of age before moving to Brisbane, Australia for ten years due to his father's work commitments.
He was selected for the Queensland Reds development side and Queensland Schoolboys , before he became involved with the Irish Exiles setup Down Under.
He moved to Campbell College in Northern Ireland which allowed him to link up with the Ulster and Ireland age grade setups, going on to play for Ireland at under-18, under-19 and under-20 level.
He graduated onto the Ulster senior side before getting a call-up to the Irish team. He was part of the Irish tour to New Zealand last year.
Ireland were strong favourites to win the game but they found it difficult to break down an English side who had a player, Freddie Steward, sent off.
"We are so proud to be Irish," said Johnny Sexton who was playing his last Six Nations game.
"This is what I dreamed about as a kid," he added.
Tom O'Toole, the man with such strong Meath connections, helped to make that dream come true.