Kearney brothers bring home the silverware

The Kearney brothers, Rob and Dave, made a surprise visit to Dundalk yesterday with the Six Nations Championship trophy.

The pair were heavily involved in Joe Schmidt’s plans in this campaign, culminating with a crucial 22-20 victory over France in Paris on Saturday.

The duo, who come from Willville on the Cooley Peninsula, dropped into McDonald’s in Dundalk before popping by their favourite store, Tony McDonnell’s in Earl Street.

From there, they made their way out to the peninsula where they showcased the cup in Lily Finnegan’s pub.

The pair will remain in Cooley today before returning to Dublin tomorrow to take part in a charity match in Donnybrook.

Kearney try the third most memorable moment in the Irish sporting year

Rob Kearney’s try against the All Blacks has been voted the third most memorable sporting moment in Irish sport this year.

The first half try, which seen the Willville man break from his own 22 to score in the corner, received 9% of the vote in the Irish Sports Council poll, despite Ireland losing out to New Zealand in heartbreaking fashion at the end.

A thousands adults representing a cross section of the Irish public were interviewed for the Pembroke Communications Sports Sentiment Index, with Kearney’s try selected as one of the highlights of the year.

Just pipping him on 9% also was AP McCoy’s 4,000^th winner while the most memorable sporting moment of the year with 13% of the vote was the appointment of Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane to the Irish management team.

Kearney admits he misses the GAA

David Kearney and Rob Kearney celebrate Leinster’s Heineken Cup success at Twickenham in May 2012

Leinster and Ireland full back Rob Kearney has admitted he misses Gaelic Games and said his favourite thing about living in Dublin is “the road back to Cooley.”

In a question and answer session with journalist Liam Costello in the build-up to today’s Guinness Series opener against Samoa at the Aviva Stadium, the former Louth minor and Cooley Kickhams star said he misses football but doesn’t regret his decision to turn his back on it.

“Yes I do miss the game,” he said.

“It was a different era, a local team and a national sport, but I had a choice and I wouldn’t change that.”

Kearney, who hails from Willville in Carlingford, said his favourite thing about the ‘Big Smoke’ is “the road back to Cooley”.

That was a real indication he remains a home bird and he gave a hint that he is not looking to follow his close friend Jonny Sexton to France despite the financial rewards it would provide.

“Never say never, but I am really happy here in Ireland and will be for the next few years.”

Kearney remains a big supporter of the Kickhams, who he last represented in their 2004 County Final defeat to neighbours St Pat’s.

Another former Cooley ace is his brother David, who will be hoping to come off the bench today to win his first Irish cap.

“It would be a huge honour for Dave, for me and for our whole family,” said Rob.

“Obviously I really hope it happens but unfortunately I’m not the coach.”

Related articles

• Dave Kearney one of three uncapped players named in Irish squad for Guinness Series (talkofthetown.ie)

Kearney off the market

Paul O’Donnell, David, Richard and Rob Kearney kitted out for Richard’s big day.

Women around the country will be devastated to hear that one of the Kearney brothers is off the market.

Fear not though, it’s not Leinster stars Rob or David. Instead, they were just groomsmen for older brother Robert, who got hitched at the weekend.

Jim McDonnell of Tony McDonnell Formal Hire in Earl Street shared the above picture of the lads on Richard’s big day.

Follow Rob in the Indo

Rob Kearney’s diary is flagged on the front of today’s Irish Independent and will feature each Wednesday during the British and Irish Lions’ tour of Australia

Everyone from this part of the world with even the smallest amount of interest in rugby will be anxious to see Rob Kearney get some playing time for the British and Irish Lions this summer.

The Willville man has made it easier for the whole nation to keep track of his exploits though, having signed up to keep a weekly diary for the Irish Independent.

The first installment of Kearney’s journals is in today’s newspaper.

Either way, the former Cooley Kickhams clubman has come a long way since his last time Down Under with the Irish U-19s when he kept a similar blog, only for The Dundalk Democrat on that occasion.

Kearney goes back to his roots

Rob Kearney might be one of the world’s best rugby players nowadays but he has never forgotten his Cooley roots. Indeed, the British and Irish Lions full back proved just as much yesterday when he helped the charity Concern out with a bit of digging in the Phoenix Park.

Kearney has been heavily involved with Concern for a number of years now and even visited Ethiopia with the charity two years ago.

Kearney the Welsh wonder?

The infographic from SkySports, claiming Rob Kearney is Welsh

It appears Sky Sports are a little confused about Rob Kearney’s nationality.

In their infographic on today’s British and Irish Lions squad announcement, the sports channel had the Carlingford man down as Welsh.

Kearney might have experience of livestock from his time growing up on a farm but there’s little doubt that it’s Irish blood flowing through his veins.

Previously: Kearney included in Lions squad

Source: Balls.ie