Chicago Hounds' Conall Boomer says 'sleeping giant' rugby is stirring in America

Conall Boomer admits stepping into Major League Rugby was crossing a threshold into the unknown. 

But the Rosbeg man and former CLG Ard and Rátha Gaelic football player says he’s been blown away by the sheer scale of it all. 

America’s premier sports are basketball, American football and baseball and it’s an oligopoly that won’t ever shift. But that doesn’t mean rugby isn’t making impressive yards. 

The vastness of it all, the States that is, Boomer describes the sport as a sleeping giant there. And because it’s such a cultural melting pot, the interest, in it’s own way, is huge. 

And with the country scheduled to host the 2031 Rugby World Cup, that tournament will present a unique opportunity to accelerate the sport's growth even further there. 

A little like Major League Soccer’s efforts to draw eyes, the MLR has invested in some high-profile names to draw at the stadiums and create interest from afar. Boomer counts the likes of former Ireland international Dave Kearney as a teammate. 

Former Leinster and Munster scrum-half Nick McCarthy is also on the Hounds’ books as is Australia’s Billy Meakes. Dylan Fawset, an Irish-born American international, is another who’s part of the Chicago roster.  

It’s now the fastest-growing sport in America and World Rugby openly discusses that market as its key development area.  

Boomer tore his pectoral muscle last term while still involved with Terenure and it was an injury that required surgery at the end of 2023. So as well as settling into his new environment, he’s also been settling back into life on the field. 

“Myself and my partner Sarah, we’re loving Chicago - it’s one of the best cities I’ve ever been to,” he tells DonegalLive.  

“The city life is great. I don’t have family out here but the Irish feel to Chicago means it feels really familiar. We enjoyed St Patrick’s Day there a few weeks back, it was crazy.

“We’re close to the river and lake. So that’s nice. I think as the weather gets a little better we’re going to enjoy it even more. 

“We’re in a great apartment complex - it has its own pool, gym and basketball court. They let dogs in everywhere here, which is great. 

You drop in for a coffee somewhere and everyone has their dog in tow. It’s lovely and first impressions are very good. The club has been excellent in making sure we’re settled in”. 

Off the back of that major surgery, Boomer admits it’s taken a little time to get back into his groove. 

Boomer in action for Leinster against Chile, in a friendly, back in 2022

But signing a professional two-year contract has really opened his eyes and, without sounding too syrupy, he says it’s also broadened his mind. It’s allowed him to push through what he’d previously seen as physical boundaries. 

A qualified teacher by trade, he’s now parked that and he says it’s impossible not to notice and feel the change. 

“I was quite fortunate that I’ve my teaching qualification and have a career to come back to at home when it’s all over. But the teaching career is on ice right now. But I’m definitely going to go back to it down the line. 

“I’ve signed a two-year deal here. I intend to stay and see that out. I’ve no commitments at home, bar my dogs! But I might actually buy some more out here. Chicago is definitely a dog-loving city!

“When I was in Ulster, I remember working for the likes of Dominos, at all times, simply because it allowed me to just work around the rugby schedule. 

“I remember working in the Blue Haven and Annnora’s Bar back home in Donegal during summers and that juggle, up to Belfast then to play rugby, it was such tough going. 

“So it’s been amazing to be able to just put my full focus into just rugby right now. I’m starting to see the benefits of that. 

“So I’m very fortunate and I’m very grateful as well for the opportunity I’ve been given here. It’s incredible to be able to put your complete focus into sport”.

From their five games to date, Chicago have won one, drawn one and lost three so, as Boomer says, it’s been a bit of a mixed bag. But he expects things to improve fast. 

In his own full debut against Old Glory DC, Boomer got over the line twice. And while they didn’t win the game, he says it was an opportunity to road-test his shoulder. 

“Against DC, we drew the game. I scored two tries but, to be honest, they were easy enough tries! I just had to run them in.  It was good to get out there as I hadn’t played since my surgery in January. 

“Because of all of that, it had been a little up in the air if I was actually going to come out here. So, like I said, I’m very grateful to have got on that plane and got a contract here. They’ve put a lot of faith in me.

“I’m happy with my performances but I know I can be even better. I gymed the hell out of it the last few months, put on weight. I needed that to withstand some of the contacts and collisions in pro rugby. There are some big lads in this league. 

“The full-time nature means I’ve put a lot of time into training, eating right and I feel really good.   

“Like, that other level, that glass ceiling, living as a professional has really opened my eyes to how far you can push yourself”.

In regards to the actual league, Chicago’s sleek-looking home, SeatGeek Stadium, regularly houses crowds of close to 5,000. Because of the make-up of the Hounds squad, there is a real international flavour to game day. 

On away days or, away weekends as they should really be termed, Boomer has already clocked up some impressive air miles. 

“It’s a full-time league,” he explains. “But the weekly routine changes simply because of the travel involved. And games are played on either a Friday, Saturday or Sunday. 

“You could be in San Diego, Seattle or wherever, so you’re talking huge distances. Normally, or at least during pre-season, we trained Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday and we’d also do something on the Saturday. 

“Now, in competition, especially if it’s a travel week, we might only train twice in the week. Last weekend we travelled on the Friday, arrived Friday evening, played on the Saturday and left Sunday morning. 

“So it is quite hectic that way with long-haul flights. We’d three away games on the bounce right at the start. 

“But, thankfully, we are now at home for the next few. Playing back home, it was so much different. So it’s kinda been a settling-in period for myself”. 

He added: “The squad itself, the franchise only been up and running now for two years so it’s still finding its feet. There has been a big overhaul from last year’s group. I think around half the squad was kept on from last term with 20 new lads brought in. 

“There are a good few Irish here but most of those lads are American qualified, either through residency or they have a passport through a mother, father or grandparent. 

“I’m deemed as an international player and the league only allows ten international players per squad. 

“A lot of teams have massive variation on nationalities but there is still a really good American feel to the league, which is important as they look to grow the sport further here. 

“They are extremely good athletes here but many haven’t grown up with the sport as their number one. Basketball and American Football are huge, obviously. 

“But I’d have no doubt that once the sport grows and gets to a certain level, they’ll be one of the biggest countries competing. 

“Like I said, in terms of athleticism, there are some absolutely frightening lads, it’s crazy. So down the line, I’d expect to see America start to climb the ladder”.

This coming Saturday, Chicago are on the road once more at NOLA Gold, before back-to-back clashes at home to Anthem RC and RFC Los Angeles.  

A quick google of NOLA Gold explains that the team represents the city of New Orleans and a little further investigation also reveals that involves a close to 28-hour round-trip flight from Chicago. 

Boomer jokes he used to complain about some of the bus journeys involved from his GAA days with Ardara. But it’s a chance, he says to nail, some more points to the board. 

“It’s been a mixed bag in terms of results. We got off to an alright start. On paper, I feel we’re one of the best teams in the league. We just need to gel or click. It’s a style of rugby we’re all still getting used to. 

“With so many new players, it takes time. You’re still getting to know lads on and off the pitch.  We have Uraguayian lads and there is that language barrier to overcome. So it’s just about pulling all that together. 

“We probably should have won all the games we’ve played so far. We’ve let teams off the hook. But, like I said, we’re starting to find that traction as a group”.

Interest in the MLR has certainly spiked back in Ireland with old teammates and colleagues in Terenue keen to find out how things are going in ‘Dawg Town’ for both he and another Terenure old boy, Caolan Dooley. 

Boomer and another Rosbeg native, Campbell Classon, in Terenure colours

Indeed closer to home, at Barret’s Tavern, in Portnoo, plans are in place to screen the weekend’s game for friends and family.

“The support at home has been absolutely fantastic. I reckon some lads who never even heard about the MLR are tuning in to watch it. The family plan to come out to watch a game at some stage. 

“The five-hour time difference isn’t too bad. So the weekend’s game is being played in the Tavern so that’s great. People are tuning in from home to watch.  There are good luck messages all week.

“I was watching the Terenue and Clontarf game earlier today and there was a shoutout for myself and Caolan. Campbell Classon was involved there - that puts them top of the table. 

“He played very well. So it’s working both ways. I’m tuning in as well to see how the lads back home are getting on. It’s nice”.