Leinster could face battle to hold on to Kearney

Dave Kearney crashes over his opening try against Samoa on his Ireland debut last year

Leinster might have received a huge boost this morning with the news that the ‘Tullow Tank’ Seán O’Brien has signed a new contract with the IRFU but they could face a battle to hold on to one of their other young stars, Dave Kearney.

Speaking to the media ahead of the province’s crucial Heineken Cup clash at home to Ospreys on Friday night, the Willville man admitted he had yet to sign a new deal with Leinster and did not know where his future lies.

“I’m still trying to figure out what I’m going to do,” he said.

“It is ongoing, it’s still up in the air, but, hopefully, it will be resolved soon. I’m having a chat with a few people and we’re weighing everything up.”

Kearney, who scored two tries on his Ireland debut last autumn, said money wasn’t a central issue but said he had to weigh everything up before deciding what to do.

“I’m looking at all my options and, hopefully, we can get an answer quickly and sort things out.”

While no Top 14 clubs have yet to express an interest in Kearney, he did admit that playing abroad was something every player thought about at some stage of their careers.

Kearney brothers included in Irish squad for Guinness Series

Dave and Rob Kearney stand shoulder to shoulder for the national anthem following Dave’s first call up to an Irish squad ahead of the Six Nations opener with Wales in February 2012. He is yet to feature for his country at senior level though

Brothers Rob and Dave Kearney have been included in new Irish manager Joe Schmidt’s 42-man squad for the forthcoming Guinness Series.

While Rob is a veteran of 46 caps for Ireland, Dave is hoping to break into the Irish setup this year under his former Leinster coach.

He has made Six Nations squads in the past but is awaiting his first cap for the senior side.

Dave has started both of Leinster’s RaboDirect Pro 12 matches so far this season at full-back and was a try scorer in their draw with Ospreys last Friday.

He will now be hoping for the chance to get a first outing for the Irish senior team when they take on Samoa, New Zealand and Australia in the Aviva Stadium in November.

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Kearney on target for Leinster

Dave Kearney often takes a backseat to his older brother Rob in terms of publicity but having started both of Leinster’s opening RaboDirect Pro 12 matches at full back, the younger of the Willville brothers is quickly making a name for himself this season.

Dave is far from a newbie at provincial level and already has a Heineken Cup winners’ medal to back that up. However, this year it is hoped that the 23-year-old can burst into the Irish setup and he did his chances no harm with a superb first-half try against the Ospreys at the RDS on Saturday.

The game might have finished 29 apiece but the former Cooley Kickhams player’s try was an undoubted highlight of the game.

Check it out below:

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