One brother may have made his name in the green of Ireland on a bike, but the other is plying his trade in US rugby. And Paul Mullen - brother of track sprinter Eoin Mullen - lines out today for the USA at the Aviva.
When the USA lines out against Ireland in the latest rugby international at the Aviva stadium today, one Irish cyclist will have a bigger interest than most in the game.
Track sprinter Eoin Mullen will be cheering on his brother Paul. But he won’t be wearing the green of Ireland, as his sibling has done on the velodrome.
Instead, Paul Mullen is lining out for the USA; qualifying for them having lived in America for the last few years.
The Mullens are from the Aran Islands and while Eoin has made many appearances for his country, Paul will be making his seventh appearance today for his adopted nation.
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Despite growing up on Inis Mór, both of the Mullen brothers were keen cyclists from a very early aged.
However, while Paul drifted away from the bike Eoin stuck at it, becoming a sprinting international and medalling at the U23 European Championships.
Their father owned a bike shop on the island where they grew up, so they were steeped in bikes despite the very limited training terrain options.
Paul Mullen has played in the Aviva before, when he was part of a combined Munster-Connacht team that took on Leinster-Ulster in an U20 fixture eight years ago.
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Now aged 27 years, he is currently enjoying a short stint in the UK playing with Newcastle Falcons.
Prop Mullen joined the Falcons in the summer on a four-month deal. He was born and raised in Ireland and was part of Munster's U20s squad before relocating to America for university.
He has a Bachelor’s degree in marine engineering technology and a Masters in marine resources management in Texas.
Mullen represented USA U20s in the Junior World Trophy in 2011. He made his full international debut this summer.
Paul Mullen started in the USA's victories over Canada, Scotland and Russia in June and has been playing his club rugby for Major League side Houston SaberCats.
Eoin Mullen in action on the velodrome for the green of Ireland. He has a European Championships medal in his palmares.
The brothers Mullen; Eoin centre and Paul on right.
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