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Max Deegan 'delighted' to make Ireland debut in Wales win

While Ireland's second successive win in this year's Six Nations was significant in itself, for M...



While Ireland's second successive win in this year's Six Nations was significant in itself, for Max Deegan this particular encounter will live long in the memory.

The 23-year-old came on to win his first-ever Irish cap and expressed his happiness afterwards at making a first appearance at senior level for his country.

"Amazing," Deegan said of his debut. "I think the lads put in an unreal shift before I came on already so I was just happy to come on and make an impact."

"That's the first step there done so I'll just keep trying to get in here week on week and getting as many performances as I can.

"It was always one of my goals since day one playing rugby pretty much you want to play for your country so I'm delighted to get that first notch on the belt."

The Leinster man came on to replace Peter O'Mahony with under ten minutes to go and says the win sets Ireland up nicely for the visit to Twickenham in two weeks time.

"We'll take a great amount of confidence, that's two wins now at the start of the competition. Momentum will be building and we'll be just looking forward to the next few weeks.

"We have a week off next week and then England so loads to work on, so it's great."

The highly-rated youngster also reserved particular praise for the elder statesmen on the squad, and how they have responded post-World Cup.

"I think the lads have bounced back from the disappointment of the World Cup really well and I think the leaders of the team have stepped up really well. They're taking this competition by the reins and we're really enjoying it so everyone is coming in behind and giving as much impact as we can."

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