Andrew Porter has spoken about the importance of family, in his interview with Off The Ball’s Adrian Barry and Alan Quinlan as part of our series with Dove Men + Care.
Porter credits both parents for his continued success in rugby; his father for kindling an interest in the sport at a young age, and the passing of his mother as an enduring motivation to make her proud.
"I started off playing quite young - my Dad took me down to Old Wesley when I was very young - about four years old. I played my mini-rugby with Old Wesley," said Porter.
"The main reason I got into it was through my father, he had a big passion for rugby and that rubbed off on me then. He was my first coach when started off - that was what sparked the passion for rugby inside me."
It has not been a straightforward path for Porter, whose move from loose-head to tight-head may have thrown others off course in their career.
"John Fogarty [Leinster coach] came up to me to say 'The line for loose-head is a bit long' because we had Jack McGrath, Cian Healy, Peter Dooley and Ed Byrne who had already established themselves at that level.
"I think they were short a few tight-heads and they thought that I suited the position mainly because of my stature."
It helped to catalyse an international career for Ireland, after success at provincial level with Leinster.
"Everything happened so quickly. You don't have much time to gather your thoughts on it. I think the first time I read the email about coming into camp, I thought they had sent it to the wrong person!
"I was immensely proud to go out and get my first cap against the USA, and one of the biggest stand-outs was that my Dad was able to sit in the stands on such a special day for me. It is a day I'll never forget."
It is success tinged with some sadness that makes Porter's story so poignant.
The death of his mother early in his teenage years was a heartbreaking loss for any young person, and it is testament to his personality that he has used this to propel himself to the top of the game.
"With the loss of my Mum, when I was 12, it brought us a bit closer together. We were looking after each other a bit more, and looking out for each other. I owe them everything, really.
"It is incredible how much family impacts you, especially when you want to go out and make them proud."
There is one person in particular that Andrew would like to feel he is making proud.
"[My mother] was a huge influence on my life when I was younger. She continues to be now. It is not just my Dad and two sisters that I am doing it for - I am doing it in her memory as well. I hope she is looking down and is proud."
In the second video of our Dove Men + Care #OneToughJob series, Andrew Porter and his dad Ernie tell us about Andrew’s career with Ireland and losing his mum at a young age. Stay tuned for the last part in our series as we find out how some of the country’s most celebrated professionals - Keith Earls, Devin Toner and Andrew’s school friend Jordan Larmour - manage to Care For Every Position they play.
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