NEWS

Paul Mullen: From the Aran Islands to Houston

“I’m from a small island off the coast of Ireland and I’d never played a game of rugby before my parents sent me to Glenstal Abbey, a boarding school in Munster,” a reminiscent Paul Mullen said.

“It was very much rugby or no sport,” Mullen said. “Fortunately enough, I absolutely loved it. I played Gaelic football growing up and rugby just seemed a lot more rewarding and physical. I love the physicality aspect of it.”

Eventually going on to play for Munster’s U18s, U19s, and U20s, it was Mullen’s parents that persuaded the tighthead prop to move over to America to get a degree.

“They reckoned that if I stayed in Ireland, I’d only go to college for the first week and spend the rest of the time playing rugby,” Mullen explained. “So, off to Texas A&M Galveston, I went.”

Studying marine engineering, Mullen played third division rugby for Galveston, but it was when writing up his thesis when SaberCats Head Coach and fellow Irishman, Justin Fitzpatrick, got in contact with Mullen with a view of the Aran Island native lining up in Major League Rugby.

“I always wanted to be playing at a higher level, so when I came up to Fitzy, I could tell things were a lot more structured, a lot more technical and I loved it,” Mullen said.

Only managing to play three games in his maiden season of MLR, Mullens performances in yellow and black quickly made him a crowd favorite in East Texas. His efforts weren’t missed by Eagles head coach, Gary Gold, either.

Qualifying for the Eagles, thanks to his Grandfather who was born in Boston, Mullen has started the last six internationals for the USA. However, the 28-year-old didn’t believe that playing international rugby was a possibility before Major League Rugby.

“When you go from playing for Munster U20s to playing division three in Texas, some of the guys from home were saying; ‘What are you doing? You’re taking a step backward,” Mullen said.

“Ireland were here in Houston playing the USA, so I went down to some of the Irish training and I just wanted to be part of it,” Mullen said. “I really wanted to be playing international rugby, but at that stage, I didn’t think it was possible. Until maybe last January or February when MLR started.”

After the first season of MLR concluded, Mullen spent some time with Gallagher Premiership club, Newcastle Falcons, in order to get some game time under his belt before the Autumn internationals.

“Gary Gold wanted me to be playing rugby between the end of June and November,” Mullen said. “Staying in the States, I wouldn’t have been playing rugby until the November tests and those tests were huge. The contract with Newcastle came by and I jumped at it. It was a fantastic experience. Just to be in with a great club like Newcastle.”

Moving back to the SaberCats following his contract in England expiring, Mullen has made just two appearances for Justin Fitzpatrick’s side. This is due to his selection for the Eagles in the America’s Rugby Championship and after suffering a broken hand.

Having been in the USA for eight years, Mullen has seen the development of the club game of the country. He even remembers the shock he got when playing his first game since arriving from Ireland.

“When I first got here, my first game was a six-hour drive away,” Mullen said. “I just couldn’t believe it. It wasn’t just a case of hop onto a bus, this was a case of lads working their job during the week and then drive to Dallas.

“Now there are more rugby clubs here now, than there was back then, which is fantastic to see. It just proves the game is growing,” an enthused Mullen said.

One of many Irish players in Major League Rugby, Mullen is impressed by what the sport can do to bring old teammates back together.

“Back in 2010, just before I headed off to America, myself and Tadhg Leader played together on a team,” Mullen said. “It was a Munster/Connacht combination versus a combination of Leinster/Ulster. We lost the game by a country mile, but it was the first game in the stadium. All of a sudden, years go by and I bump into him over here. It’s amazing what rugby can do and where it can bring you.”

The SaberCat made his return for the team as they were unveiling their brand new stadium, The AVEVA Stadium. Although his side lost the match at the hands of the incumbent champions, Mullen never thought that rugby would be a growing sport in the place he calls home.

“If you’d told me eight years ago that there’s going to be a professional team in Houston and they’d have their own stadium, I’d say; take a hike. It’s just fantastic,” Mullen said. “It is great to be back in Houston and playing for the SaberCats again. Hopefully, we can win a few more games before the end of the season.”

The SaberCats are back in action this Sunday for the CBS Sports Network Game of the Week as they travel to MCU Park to take on Rugby United New York at 5 p.m. ET. Find the full schedule here.

Written by: Joe Harvey, MLR Staff Writer. Photo: Bigshots Snapshots.