Aussie rugby skipper’s Galway links

Ireland may have exited the Rugby World Cup prematurely, but Galway will be cheering on one of its own in the final this weekend.

Stephen Moore, the captain of Australia – who take on New Zealand in the RWC final at Twickenham on Saturday – has Irish roots and strong Galway connections.

Moore, 32, was born in Saudi Arabia to Irish parents but spent five years of his childhood living in Galway – the hooker was once on the verge of signing for Connacht Rugby in the early years of his playing career.

His father Dr Tommy Moore, is one of a well known Galway family and grew up in the heart of the city. His parents owned Fahy’s sweet shop on Mainguard Street which closed in the 1960s.

When Tommy qualified as a doctor at UCG (now NUI Galway) he and his wife Maureen moved to Saudi Arabia where Stephen was born in 1983. The family then moved back to Galway and Tommy set up a Regional Medical Centre on Newcastle Road.

After five years, Tommy sold the business and moved to Mount Morgan in Queensland in Australia in 1988, where he set up another medical centre.

Stephen made his debut for Queensland Reds rugby club in 2003 and broke into the Australian national team in 2006 – he earned his 100th cap during this World Cup in England.

For more on Stephen Moore’s local connections, see this week’s Galway City Tribune