By Jim Stokes

Gary Longwell will have his dream realised in Australia

The long and anxious wait for Ulster lock Gary Longwell is over.

The 32-year-old's dream of competing in the World Cup is about to be realised after he was named in Ireland's 30-man squad to Australia.

To say Longwell is a late developer is a real understatement. But the mathematics graduate from Queen's University in Belfast has certainly got his sums right.

The big Ballymena club stalwart had won 90 caps for Ulster and helped the province to European Cup success in 1999 before finally pulling on the green jersey of Ireland.

There have been a few of his ilk who have managed to make their international debut at a late age, but none have stuck the pace as well as Longwell.

He has made such rapid and sustained progress in the professional era, that he was always going to be on the flight to Australia, although he had his doubts.

He is not flash, he does an awful lot of the unseen, grunt work that goes on around the field Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan

''I am absolutely chuffed,'' said Longwell. ''You always have that nagging doubt in your mind that you would not be on the plane.

''Competition for places was intense. You have to feel sorry for those players in the larger squad who will be left behind, '' said Longwell, whose work-rate was seen as a bonus to Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan.

"He is a guy who came into the international scene late in his career but, since he was given the opportunity, he has shown incredible commitment," said O'Sullivan.

"He has got a very strong work ethic on the field which really means that he is a talisman in the pack for us now.

"He is not flash, he does an awful lot of the unseen, grunt work that goes on around the field - cleaning out rucks, linking ball and making tackles. A lot of it is work people do not see."

Ireland World Cup Squad

The Belfast-born Longwell initially had to fight his way past some big names in order to line up alongside O'Kelly, including another Lion Jeremy Davidson, and former captains Paddy Johns and Mick Galwey.

However, it was his Ulster team colleague at the time that allowed him to finally win his international spurs as a replacement when Johns ''limped off'' with a groin injury against Japan in 2000 at Lansdowne Road.

A shy personality, Longwell never took anything for granted, and always gave his all, particularly in the run-up to the announcement of the squad.

That penchant for work has been fully rewarded with Longwell travelling as one of four lock forwards in the party.

''It's a relief now that I know that I am going to Australia. It's a dream come true.''