Running onto Suncorp Stadium in a Brisbane Broncos jumper has always been a childhood dream for promising Mackay rugby league half back Adam McSherry.
The outstanding 14-year-old schoolboy prospect has taken a giant step towards realising that goal after securing a three-year contract with his beloved Broncos club.
Linking up with one of the highest profile sporting organisations in the country has given young McSherry a massive confidence boost in the lead up to this year’s Secondary Schools and Mackay & District Junior League competitions.
The future looks bright for the St Patrick’s College Year 10 student who is keen to push his claims for selection in the Capricornia and Queensland Under 15 representative rugby league teams this season.
He joins rising St Patrick’s College forward Cohen Jackson – a Maroons Under 15s rep in 2022 – on the Broncos books after also attracting interest from the North Queensland Cowboys.
Adam has unfinished business with St Patrick’s this campaign after a heart breaking Grand Final loss to Townsville’s Kirwan State High in the Cowboys Challenge Shield competition last season.
Having kicked a late penalty goal to give his Mercy College side the lead with 40 seconds left on the clock, Adam and teammates could only look on in horror as the Kirwan colts posted a try after the full-time bell to snatch an incredible victory.
“That loss still hurts and the team is determined to make amends and bring home the trophy this year,” revealed Adam, who will spearhead a powerful St Patrick’s squad during the 2023 Shield series.
With some of the finest rugby league talent in the Mackay region jostling for spots in Tom Gaviglio’s Cowboys Challenge squad, the St Patrick’s young guns shape as one of the teams to beat for this year’s title.
As chief playmaker the classy McSherry will use his vision, turn of speed, strength and passing and kicking skills to inspire teammates and with the spring-heeled number seven calling the shots, you can expect some enterprising football from the much-vaunted junior St Patrick’s outfit.
A Brothers Bulldogs junior product, Adam will saddle up for his tenth season with the club in 2023 where he has enjoyed tremendous success.
He starred in the Bulldogs’ Under 9 Paul Bowman Cup and Under 11 Laurie Spina Shield and Under 13 Nate Myles Cup winning sides that defeated Centrals Townsville in the final and figured in a semi-final loss to Gladstone Wallabies in the Under 10 Gordon Tallis Cup.
Adam has also featured prominently in Brothers’ recent Under 13 and Under 15 premiership victories in the Mackay & District Junior League.
The talented half turned in a best on ground performance in the 24-20 triumph over Wanderers in the Under 13s Grand Final and showed his maturity and skill last season to help engineer a 30-20 win over Wests Tigers in the Under 15s decider.
Adam described last year’s premiership success as “a very special moment.”
“I decided to test myself and play a year above my age group and really enjoyed the challenge,” quipped Adam.
‘Lining up against older opponents can be a tough task but I just played my natural game and learnt so much from my teammates along the way,” he said.
A highlight was capturing both the Under 13 Nate Myles Cup and Mackay Junior League premiership in 2021 as well as finishing the region’s top try scorer with 32 tries.
When asked to name the people that had influenced his rugby league career to date, Adam praised the efforts of his parents Stacey and Paul.
“My dad coaches at Brothers and has taught me the finer points while mum offers encouragement and advice whenever I play,” said Adam.
“I really appreciate their support,” he added.
By Chris Karas
Image: Rugby league playmaker Adam McSherry demonstrates his attacking skills for the Brothers Bulldogs against Wanderers in the Mackay & District Junior League
