Just about everyone has heard the joke recently about Rob and Dave Kearney having their own show ‘Keeping Up With the Kearndashians’. While that might be but a pipe dream, the Willville brothers are set to feature in a Sky Sports Rugby Christmas special.
Cameras were rolling in Dublin yesterday as Sky interviewed the Leinster and Ireland stars for their Rugby Club Christmas Special, which will air over the Christmas period.
Certainly one for Sky+.
Dave Kearney crashes over his opening try against Samoa
The Kearney brothers David and Rob will start together for Ireland for the first time against New Zealand in the Aviva Stadium on Sunday.
Older brother Rob has recovered from injury to take his regular full back slot while Dave, who scored two tries on his debut as a substitute against Samoa a fortnight ago, has been rewarded for his performance in that game with a place on the wing.
Dave Kearney crashes over his opening try against Samoa
Dave Kearney has been omitted from the Ireland squad for Saturday’s clash with Australia at the Aviva Stadium.
The Leinster winger, who hails from Willville in Carlingford, looked like he had played his way into contention for a starting place at the weekend after coming off the bench for his debut against Samoa on Saturday and bagging two late tries.
Rather than be too down-hearted about the matter, Kearney will be hoping that coach Joe Schmidt seen enough of him in his late cameo last weekend and is using Saturday’s game as another chance to take a look at different players.
While Dave won’t be involved on Saturday, his older brother Rob has retained his place at full-back.
Ever wanted to ask Rob Kearney a question? Well now you can.
The Irish full back will be taking part in a Twitter Q&A Tomorrow with Audi Ireland, who he is a brand ambassador for.
To ask the Willville man a question tweet it to @audiireland using the hashtag #AskRob
Dave Kearney crashes over his opening try against Samoa
There was a dream international debut for Dave Kearney yesterday as he came off the bench to grab two tries in Ireland’s 40-9 victory over Samoa at the Aviva Stadium yesterday.
The Leinster star’s cameo was one of the highlights of the five-try victory, which ensured that new coach Joe Schmidt got off to the best possible start.
To add to the dream day for the Willville man, one of the tries was set up by older brother Rob.
You can view the two tries below in GIFs, courtesy of balls.ie
Dave Kearney’s first try
Dave Kearney’s second try
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.”
Dave Kearney, pictured training with the Irish squad at Carton House in September, will be hoping to win his first Irish cap on Saturday
Dave Kearney is in line for his first Ireland cap after being named amongst the replacements for the clash with Samoa on Saturday at the Aviva Stadium.
The Leinster winger will be hopeful of coming off the bench at some stage of the Guinness Series tie, which will be new coach Joe Schmidt’s first game in charge.
Dave’s older brother Rob was named in the starting 15, as expected, with the duo set to replicate their lining out for the national anthem alongside each other from early 2012.
The team for the clash with Samoa is as follows:
R Kearney; T Bowe, B O’Driscoll, G D’Arcy, F McFadden; P Jackson, C Murray; J McGrath (1st cap), R Best, M Ross; M McCarthy, D Toner; P O’Mahony, C Henry, J Heaslip.
Replacements: S Cronin; C Healy; D Fitzpatrick; P O’Connell; S O’Brien; E Reddan; I Madigan; D Kearney (1st cap).
Dave Kearney, pictured training with the Irish squad at Carton House last month, will be hoping to win his first Irish cap during the Guinness Series
David Kearney is one of three uncapped players to have been included in the 34-man Irish panel for the forthcoming Guinness Series against Samoa, Australia and New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium next month.
The Leinster winger, who was on the bench for Ireland during the 2012 Six Nations, will be hoping to win a first cap alongside Jack McGrath and James Coughlan.
Also included in the panel is David’s elder brother Rob, who has won 46 Irish caps to date.
The call-up of the duofrom Willville in Carlingford had been expected after they were named in a 46-man training squad by new coach Joe Schmidt last month.
Talk of the Town 