Silky, rapid and sharp. Craig Gilroy is starting to gain a reputation that his dazzling tries deserve, Craig started out playing rugby at his secondary school Methodist College where he won the 08/09 Schools Cup beating RBAI in the final. Craig went onto play for Dungannon Rugby who was coached by Ulster European Champion Justin Fitzpatrick. Not a bad lead up to playing rugby for Ulster!
Craig in his first season gave the Ulster fans a taster of what he could do when he scored two tries against the Cardiff Blues one of which was oustanding showing glimpses of his devil side step and what raw pace he has. Craig went onto score eight tries in the 2010-2011 season in the 13 games he played. Out of the 13 games Craig played 11 of them were full games he played therefore enhancing his development and experience, Craig also gained a Heineken Cup cap that season with a 6 minute cameo against the Northampton Saints in Ulster's quarter final defeat.
It was clear for everyone to see that Craig was a star in the making with his footwork and balance that places many opposition players lieing on the pitch face first similar to slipping on ice whilst Craig races away. The best thing about the Bangor winger is his off field attitude, Craig chats to fans on twitter and take pictures with fans after games which is what would be expected of many professional rugby players but Craig has a persona that oozes respect and that his attitude would never be inflated how popular or how successful he comes which makes him a great idol to Ulster and Ireland fans.
The 2011/2012 season was tougher for Craig, with a little more expectation on his shoulders due to his rise as the young star of Ulster, he struggled to score tries. Out of 29 games Craig was involved in he scored 6 tries, the tries were evenly split with 3 in the Heineken Cup and 3 in the Pro 12. Although the statistics look bad, the season can be seen as a positive for Craig as all fans have seen his team performance improve with regards to his defensive work and his positional play. The fact Craig had a legend of rugby with him in the back three aided his development with South African Stefan Terblanche coming in as a emergency replacement as Jared Payne was ruled out for the season.
The future will be bright, Craig just missed out on a Ireland call up for the Summer New Zealand tour with Simon Zebo seeming to be in pole position in their mini battle to be the up and coming Irish winger to get into the senior squad. Recently Craig scored two tries when Ireland just missed out on beating the Barbarians at Gloucester's ground Kingsholm, the exciting family member like chat about Craig is no farce. Non Ulster fans in the Emerald Isle are appreciating what an exceptional winger he is and the catalyst was Craig's superb try against Munster in the 2011/2012 Heineken Cup Quarter Final.
Next season could prove a test, with Tommy Bowe coming back to Ulster and Ireland winger Andrew Trimble in the mix it will be a toss up between the three of them for the two winger jerseys. Many Ulster fans have suggested that Tommy Bowe could move to outside centre to combat this but it's believed that will be plan B with Darren Cave enhancing his reputation as a solid outside centre for Ulster.
The decision will depend on how Mark Anscombe views the team, Mark plays a defensive style of rugby. This should be viewed as a good problem rather than a negative, Ulster will want to combat with the giants of European Rugby having three outstanding wingers will bode well for the future. Next season will be another test for Gilroy with the reputation he is getting labelling him as a marked man, has he got the footwork to dazzle great stages in rugby. Keep an eye on Craig if you can keep up!
