By Jon Geddes

RANDWICK’S Irish recruit Cormac Daly has stamped himself the Galloping Greens’ 1280-minute man.

The workaholic lock has played every minute of the 16 Shute Shield rounds so far this season and has been a key contributor in the Wicks’ team who are currently sitting in second spot on the ladder in what has been an impressive campaign under the guidance of new coach and Wicks’ legend Stephen Hoiles.

Daly has been a bit of a quiet achiever in the premiership and his ironman effort is even more impressive considering he is a tight forward.

When Rugby News brought up Daly’s amazing statistic with Hoiles he responded: “On its own that is phenomenal. He has been pivotal to our success.

“We are talking about trying to get him to rest at some stage but he doesn’t want it, he is happy to keep going.”

Hoiles agreed it was pretty rare for a secondrower especially to clock up so many consecutive minutes on the field.

“His background probably helps because he has been in a professional environment, so he has developed well,” he said.

“He is just match-hardened, and it is probably a good example of where the north is compared to the south in rugby. Those guys up there can potentially play up to 40 games a year.

“Playing 18 weeks straight doesn’t sound like a big deal to him.”

A VALUABLE IMPORT     

THE Galloping Greens really found a four-leaf clover when they secured the Irish forward this season after he was being pursued by a number of rival Shute Shield clubs.

“We worked really hard to get him here,” Hoiles said. “One of the club supporters is employing him, he is an intelligent guy, so we got him a job that suits his degree.”                

It was no wonder that Daly was considered hot property as he arrived Down Under with an impressive CV, being an Irish Under 20 representative and a contracted player with Connaught and Leinster.

About a month before Daly left Ireland, he played for Leinster against Chile.

“He looked at a trip over here with his girlfriend as a chance to use his degree and pick up a job and give rugby a good crack at a different club,” Hoiles said.                  

THE WICKS HAVE BEEN LIT         

BACK home at Coogee in his debut season as a Shute Shield coach, Hoiles is happy with the way the team has performed thus far.

And with Randwick emerging as a real premiership threat, Hoiles must be a strong contender for the coach of the year.

“There has been a lot of good stuff about it,” Hoiles said.

The character of this current Randwick side was shown over the challenges of the past month with four consecutive away games that finished with a draw against Manly followed by wins over Norths, arch-rivals Easts and the Two Blues.

“The Two Blues didn’t go away at all to be fair, and we still found a way to win so that is probably the most pleasing aspect of this team,” Hoiles said.

NO SURPRISE IN THIS PACKET

WHILE Randwick’s resurgence may have surprised some people in clubland, not so their coach.

“This is kind of where I expected us to be,” Hoiles said. “I think the club was set up really well the last few years.

“Definitely my expectations were to be up there at the top, and that’s where we are at the moment.

“I came into this thinking we were a chance – we’ve got the right players and the right environment and   the club is set up well.  

“I’d be disappointed if we weren’t there or there abouts this time of year, I suppose the next few weeks will be pivotal.”

Randwick’s final two games are at home to Souths and Warringah.

Top-placed Norths, who are on equal points, are away to Easts and at home to the Wildfires.