Patrick McAllister Profile
Patrick McAllister is just like many twenty-one year olds. He enjoys socialising with his friends, playing video games, spending time with his girlfriend, and even popping back to his home town of Markethill, County Armagh, to have a hearty home cooked meal and to get his laundry done.
That though is where the similarities end.
McAllister is starting out on a life journey that many can only dream about the life of a professional rugby player, with Magners League side Ulster.
For McAllister though, who spent the early years of his life in Africa, the reality hadn't always been a dream.
McAllister said: "I played football as kid growing up in Africa and had no interest in rugby even though both of my older brothers played rugby in high school.
"It wasn't until I arrived in Ireland that my school here only had a rugby team so I tried that instead.
"I loved the physicality of the game itself so stuck to it and have looked back ever since.
It is little surprise then that McAllister, whose imposing six feet one inch frame casts an equally imposing shadow, found a second home in the front row.
"Every front rower will tell you they would love to be a winger or a fullback and that their talents aren't being fulfilled in the front row, only for our bodies to tell us otherwise.
"But i love the front row and I think it is a position you have to enjoy to play it.
"It's a very personal battle that brings extra excitement to a game.
McAllister is breaking into the first team at
Ulster having already represented his native Ireland at various levels including Under-19 and 20's level, and is enjoying every second of it.
"Training all summer with the team was exciting itself.
"When I was able to come on for twenty minutes at the end of the first game of the season [versus Ospreys], it was unbelievable.
"We won that game in the last five minutes by a point and the crowd were amazing.
"I will never forget themoment when the whistle blew.
McAllister replaced Bryan Youngs that day and is very grateful for the knowledge he has gained from the likes of Youngs and the host of experience Ulster can boast in the front row currently plying their trade at Ravenhill.
"As a young front-rower I try to be as much of a sponge as I can while i am playing with the likes of BJ [Botha] and Rory [Best]. McAllister noted.
"I'm very privileged to be playing alongside them and I try to take things from them both on and off the pitch which will help to strengthen my career.
McAllister gained yet more experience travelling to Japan to represent Ireland at the Under 20's World Cup - a trip that left a lasting mark on the Ulsterman.
"The world cup was a once in a lifetime moment, I was very honoured to represent my country.
"It is a very, very different kind of place, a country with very strict traditions and rules.
"It was an unbelievable experience and something I will always treasure.
"It was just disappointing that after a very good six nations campaign we didn't do ourselves justice on the field!
McAllister's fledgling career has been a baptism of fire having suffered an unfortunate string of injuries that has caused a few setbacks so far, but he is positive he has come through the worst of it and just needs to keep the positive attitude that has lead him to return from injury and back representing his native Ulster.
"I had a shoulder operation in my last year of school so was out of rugby for a year. I only began playing again a month before the U20s Six Nations.
"Going into one of the scrums in the second half my neck got in an awkward position before the engagement.
"As we engaged there were a few cracks down my neck and spine and it tightened up immediately.
McAllister was then taken to hospital as a precaution, discovering later that his injuries weren't as bad as was once thought. He is grateful though for the help and support provided by the medical staff at Ravenhill.
"In the week after the game it eased thanks to Gareth [Robinson “ Ulster Physio], as well as Doc Webb.
"I should also thank Kevin Geary, one of our strength and conditioning coaches who had to take me to the pool every day.
"I have been working very hard in the summer to get my strength back and fitness up to a certain standard.
McAllister's positive outlook on life comes from a unique upbringing, raised by an Irish father and a French Mother all the while being brought up in Africa.
"Growing up in Africa was a dream come true for a young mischievous boy like myself. McAllister recalled.
"With acres of space to play with, wild animals all around me and even a motorbike to get about on, I couldn't ask for a better upbringing.
Despite the fun McAllister experienced, he also was able to see how others lived with less than he had, allowing him to appreciate how fortunate he has been.
"It [growing up in Africa] has also allowed me to see the highs and lows of life first hand, seeing many suffer because of war and many local issues.
"It's something I carry with me in life knowing that I am very privileged living the life I lead and that I must be sure to make the most of it.
It is experiences like those he had in Africa, that has helped McAllister balance the life of a professional of rugby player with faith, something very important to McAllister.
"I have learnt quickly that when you get into a team environment you need to make your faith clear to the rest of the team.
"The most effective way is to almost integrate them [Religion and Rugby] so that your using both in each lifestyle!
"I'm lucky in a way that a good bunch of the guys on the team believe in god as well and it's good to have that connection, almost like a support group.
The combination of faith and his African upbringing has left McAllister with plenty to do outside of rugby “ something he is very passionate about.
"As a proud Christian, I have recently started
going to a new church called 'celebration church.
"Its very youth orientated which I love and I'm gradually starting to get more involved into that.
"I'm also very thankful to Gary Longwell and Hamish Adams for helping me find a way to help out at the Belfast Zoo to satisfy the passion for animals I picked up in Africa.
"This year I will also study animal management part-time which I am really looking forward to.
Just like his interests off the field, McAllister's career seems to be hurtling along on at a rate of knots of late
He remains level headed though about his prospects, particularly with the chance of a full international cap a mouth-watering prospect.
"I have spoken to Declan [Kidney] and he has told me what I need to do to make it at full international level.
"I am working hard to get there but I am young and I realise that.
McAllister knows that he may get a chance to represent his country sooner rather than later though and should the opportunity come, he certainly won't be letting the chance slip through his fingers
"With the World Cup next October I realise that there will be opportunities to play senior games due to Ireland players being rested.
"I have realised the opportunities and am very focused and driven to achieve them."
McAllister is positive that the current Irish team's performance in this year's Six Nations championship, where the men in green finished third, winning the Triple Crown and dashing England's hopes of a grand slam, shows the potential for success in the current crop of Irish players.
"I thought throughout the whole campaign Ireland showed a mix of great defence and some great attack.
"We were made to pay for too many penalties though.
"The final game against England just showed how good they can be especially when the penalties are cut out of the equation.
McAllister also believes that if Ireland could play the way they all know they can, they could make an impact when the World Cup begins in New Zealand this October.
"If Ireland can play to their potential and stay injury free, they have a good chance of beating anyone on their day.
"I think this world cup will be the hardest one to call yet and I can't wait!
McAllister will be putting all his efforts into his domestic performances and the remainder of the season for Ulster in the meantime, as his side continue to try and keep pace with runaway leaders Munster in the Magners league, which according to McAllister, just edges the Premiership in terms of quality.
"I believe that both leagues are very competitive at a very high standard but i think the Magners league is ahead at this time.
"I think you can tell that by seeing how many teams from each league get further in European competitions.
Whether or not Ireland or Ulster will succeed in their respective tournaments will come down to a number of variables, but one thing is for sure though, for a country that has enjoyed a wealth of talent in the front row, McAllister is showing that the bright trend is set to continue.
