British & Irish Cup, Athletic Ground, Richmond, England 9/12/2017
Richmond vs Connacht Eagles
Connacht's Conan O’Donnell
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Bob Bradford Staff Reporter
A young rugby player has revealed the strength he receives from his faith, speaking at a Mass to celebrate sport in his parish in Co. Sligo.
Connacht prop and Irish under-20 squad member, Conan O’Donnell, told St Patrick’s in Strandhill that “God is important in my life”.
“My faith was nurtured by regular family prayer and attendance and participation in Sunday Mass regardless of whether the rugby game was home or away on any given Sunday,” he said.
The rising rugby star said each Sunday after Mass he always lights a candle and asks “for God’s protection during games and to keep me injury free”. However, his faith was tested when he fractured his ankle last October, which ended his involvement with the Irish U-20 six nations team.
Low point
“This seriously tested my faith and left me with a feeling of abandonment by God,” he said. “Following my injury, I returned to Sunday Mass on my ‘scooter’ and repaired my relationship with God by simply talking to him and letting him know how I felt at this low point in my life.”
Now back at full training, the young player said it was important to remember that God loves us unconditionally “and that you never suffer alone”.
