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.

Kearney commits to Leinster for next season

Sean O’Brien, Dave Kearney and Jack McGrath were amongst the players to commit their futures to Leinster yesterday

Willville’s Dave Kearney was amongst 21 Leinster players to sign new IRFU contracts yesterday to commit themselves to the Province for the 2014/2015 season.

Others to sign deals with Leinster included Irish internationals Sean O’Brien and Jack McGrath, who helped the Ireland winger promote the province’s season tickets yesterday.

It has been a breakthrough year for Kearney, with a number of fine displays for both club and country as he and brother Rob celebrated Six Nations success.

Kearney set to sign new Leinster deal within days

Dave Kearney and his older brother Rob celebrate Leinster’s Heineken Cup success at Twickenham in May 2012

Rugby star Dave Kearney is expected to commit his future to Leinster by signing a two-year contract later this week.

Following on from the IRFU securing deals for teammates Sean O’Brien and Jamie Heaslip, Willville man Kearney – who started his first Six Nations game against Scotland on Sunday – is next in line to put pen to paper on a new deal with the province.

The 24-year-old winger confirmed he would be staying in a pre-match press conference yesterday ahead of Ireland’s crunch Six Nations clash with Wales on Saturday.

“It’s pretty much sorted now,” he said.

“I’m going to look to get in now in the next couple of days and sign up.

“I’m really happy. It is obviously where I want to play and where I want to be,” he said.