Bradley McNamara not giving up on more Ulster appearances as he opens up on career to date

The full back started his rugby journey with RBAI before going to university in Scotland.

He returned home to play for the Shaw’s Bridge club and his performances in the All Ireland League came to the attention of the Ulster management, and he was offered a short term contract as injury cover.

That expired after McNamara suffered the disappointment of missing out on a first start for the province when the European Challenge Cup clash with the Cheetahs was postponed in Amsterdam due to a frozen pitch.

McNamara is back in club colours scoring tries and trying to help Instonians make it into the top-flight of the AIL, and he already has a lot to reflect on during his career.

“Leaving school at that time I think I probably put my academics probably ahead of rugby more,” he said.

"I didn't really think about staying. All my university offers and university applications all went to universities over in Scotland or England.

“I got into Dundee and whenever I got over there, I played as much rugby as I could, so played club and university rugby.

“I was playing Wednesdays and Saturdays, so it got a bit heavy at times, but it was a good experience being able to play in National 1 over there. It was a decent standard and then also getting a chance to sort of play with your mates on a Wednesday, it's good.

“I think it was a good mix for myself and to get some good exposure into senior rugby because I think that's probably, for me, definitely one of the most important things.”

McNamara with a few other students for Ulster helped Dundee win the BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sports) Trophy by beating Brunel in the final at Nottingham.

Despite winning the trophy against all the odds the celebrations were muted.

He reflected: “Thomas Armstrong the 10 at Methody in my school year was one of my close friends. He was over at university in Dundee, we had a couple of good Scottish lads, and then we had guys like Sam Cardosi from Wallace, good players now playing in the Scottish Premier.

“We somehow just kept winning games throughout the uni, or throughout the cup, beating like Strathclyde away, who are two or three leagues above us. I think it was more just like the fun of it that we enjoyed it that much, that probably got us over the line in the end.

“I wouldn't say it's anything like Queen's at the minute...it was literally the guys that weren't playing would drive the minibuses down and drive them back up, and it was great craic, and I really enjoyed that year.

“Unfortunately, we had used up all our budget because we were going through the cup. Our uni rugby doesn't have any sort of budget, so I think the hotels the night before sort of used it all up, so it was straight back on the bus, and then I think it took us 11 hours to get home. I think we stopped in Carlisle and just tried to get up the road as fast as we could.”

After university was completed, McNamara came back to his home club Instonians.

“I was always going to come back to Instonians,” he continued. “It's my childhood club, so I've never actually played for another Ulster or Irish team other than Inst, so it was a no-brainer, really.

“Seeing how well the guys were doing, you know, it was sort of selfish of myself tocome back and just try to play as much as I can, but since then it's been it's good and it's great craic.

“I think Instonians we just throw the ball about, which is good for me, I’ve absolutely loved it.

"I think it's each year we've had to really step up, bring guys in that have made a real difference, and, you know, that's how we're going to have to keep going.”

A performance for Ulster A against their Connacht counterparts helped the full back secure a contract at Ravenhill.

“It was great, it was pretty surreal, got asked to play A game, just got stuck in, did my best and fortunately was able to spend five or six weeks with Ulster,” he stressed.

"You think you know rugby playing the in All-Ireland League, but when you go with the coaches up there realistically don't know much, so it's a great experience in terms of the learning and then obviously just playing every day, it's the only way to get better.

“Mark Sexton is probably one of the best coaches I've ever met in my life, just in terms of the detail, and again, you know, he was giving me the full confidence. If you see something, don't be afraid to take it, you know, and that really helps.”

McNamara’s debut for Ulster came against Cardiff at the Arms Park.

He is also philosophical about missing out on a first Ulster start against the Cheetahs.

“I'd say it was a great experience,” he shared. “I was there, actually, the year before, watching a club game, and thought the stadium was pretty packed, even for, like, a Welsh rugby league game, and it was great to go over it again.

“Everything went so fast, it was surreal, I really enjoyed myself over there and getting stuck in.

“I was really excited just to get a full start and get a crack at a game, but you can't control those sort of things, so I thought, I'll probably give myself a small time to think about it, but then you can't think about it too long, because then it affects your game.”

McNamara has enjoyed working with another RBAI alumni Mike Lowry at Ulster and the Irish full back has also been doing a bit of coaching at the club.

He divulged: “When I was growing up Mikey was playing for the firsts from fifth year. He played with my brother (Louis) in that year, he's always been an absolute weapon, and seeing him play for Ulster week in, week out, it's great to see because his game is something that I would probably want to play as close to as possible.

“Even when he came here in pre-season, just those little details he really helps, and even when I was in the stadium he was always there, no silly questions, I could bounce anything off him, and he was happy enough to make time, or just there which was great.”