Kearney signs new three-year deal with Leinster

Leinster and Ireland rugby star Rob Kearney has signed a new three-year contract with the IRFU which will see him remain at the province until at least June 2018.

The full back, who hails from Willville in Carlingford, made his senior debut for Leinster against the Ospreys in September 2005 and has since made 155 appearances, scoring 38 tries.

Commenting on the new contract, Kearney said: “I am happy to have signed a new contract that will keep me at Leinster for another three years.

“I made my debut for Leinster almost 10 years ago and it is a great honour be in a position to extend my contract and hopefully play a part in future success at both provincial and national level.”

IRFU Performance Director David Nucifora said: “We are delighted that Rob has committed his future to Leinster and Ireland for the next three years. Rob has shown his world class in the blue of Leinster, the green of Ireland and the red of the Lions.”

Leinster CEO Mick Dawson added: “It is great that Rob has signed a new IRFU contract which keeps him at Leinster up to the end of the 2018 season. Rob is a senior international with a proven pedigree and a key voice within our environment.

“Keeping our stars at Leinster will ensure that we continue to compete for silverware in our domestic competition and in Europe.”

Kearney made his Ireland debut against Argentina in June 2005 and the 28-year-old full-back has gone on to win 56 caps for his country, scoring 10 tries and a drop goal.

Kearney has twice toured with the British & Irish Lions in 2009 and 2013, playing in all three Tests in South Africa five years ago.

He has won a Grand Slam (2009) and Six Nations Championship (2014) with Ireland and three Heineken Cups, an Amlin Challenge Cup and three PRO12 titles with Leinster, as well as being voted the ERC European Player of the Year and IRUPA Players’ Player of the Year in 2012.

De La Salle pupils get their hands on rugby silverware

The Leinster Rugby trophy tour visited Dundalk over the last few days.

Pictured above is pupils from the De La Salle secondary school with the titles the province won last season – the Amlin Challenge Cup, the RaboDirect Pro12 title and the British and Irish Cup trophies.

Another school visited was Monkland NS, which Leinster and Ireland stars Dave and Rob Kearney attended in their youth.

Leinster trophy tour hits Dundalk this week

The three trophies which will be paraded in a number of local schools between now and the end of the week

Schoolchildren around Dundalk are in for a real treat this week as the Leinster Rugby trophy tour comes to town.

The three titles the province won last season – the Amlin Challenge Cup, the RaboDirect Pro12 title and the British and Irish Cup trophies – will be paraded around a number of local primary schools in the next few days.

Those interested in turning their school Leinster Blue and receiving a visit from the Treble Trophy Tour should email trophy@leinsterrugby.ie

Another medal for Rob

Kearney crashes over the line for his first half try on Friday night

Congratulations to Carlingford native Rob Kearney who was on the scoresheet with a brilliant try last night as Leinster landed their first ever Amlin Challenge Cup victory, with a 34-13 win over Stade Francais in the RDS.

Rob, whose brother David was an unused substitute in the game, has won Heineken Cups in the past and will be looking to add a RaboDirect Pro 12 league winner’s medal to his collection when Leinster take on Ulster in the final next weekend.