Strong local interest in Irish rugby team

Devin Toner (left), carrying Paul O’Connell on his back during Irish training yesterday, is the son of Carlingford man Peter Toner

Louth will have a four-fold interest in Saturday’s Six Nations clash between Ireland and England at Twickenham.

While Rob Kearney has been flying the flag for the peninsula for some time, it has been well documented as well that his brother Dave has risen into the international ranks this season under Joe Schmidt.

However, the local connections don’t end there. Devin Toner, who also starts on Saturday, is the son of Peter Toner from Carlingford and spent many a day there during his youth.

Jordi Murphy, who is on the bench for the Triple Crown clash, also has strong Annagassan connections, with his mum Nicola the daughter of well known athlete Noel Carroll. His grand-uncle Patsy still resides in Dunleer, as well as other family members.

One man who just missed out on the matchday squad, Donnacha Ryan, also has a mum from Pearse Park in Dundalk meaning the Wee County has made a big impact on the current Irish rugby squad as they go in search of what would be only the country’s third ever Grand Slam win this year.

Meanwhile, a poll of Irish rugby fans commissioned by Ulster Bank has voted Rob Kearney the best looking player on the Irish team. The Willville man received 34% of the vote, pipping Monaghan’s Tommy Bowe who had 17%.

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

Kearney included in Lions squad

Rob Kearney scores a try for the British & Irish Lions against South Africa in Pretoria in 2009

Rob Kearney will represent the British and Irish Lions for a second time after being included in coach Warren Gatland’s 37-man squad for the trip to Australia this summer.

The Leinster and Ireland full back, who hails from Willville in Carlingford, is one of nine Irish players set to make the trip along with Cian Healy, Paul O’Connell, Sean O’Brien, Conor Murray, Jonathan Sexton, Brian O’Driscoll and Tommy Bowe.

Kearney previously represented the lines in 2009 in South Africa, starting twice, and scoring a try in the second test in Pretoria.

One for the ladies…

Rob Kearney – Is he Ireland’s sexiest sportsman?

RUGBY star Rob Kearney is in the running to be named Ireland’s Sexiest Sportsman in a new poll by RSVP magazine.

The Leinster and Ireland full back, who hails from Willville in Carlingford, is the 4/1 second favourite for the title with bookmakers Boylesports, just behind 2/5 favourite Tommy Bowe – an international rugby colleague of Kearney’s.

Others in the running for the prize are Bernard Brogan (8/1), Paul Galvin (16/1), Shay Given (25/1) and Brian O’Driscoll (25/1).

You can vote for Kearney in the poll on the RSVP website.