Kearney brothers supporting ISPCC Shield campaign

Local rugby stars Dave and Rob Kearney are amongst the famous namous supporting the ISPCC’s Shield campaign, which runs from today to the end of March.

The campaign is aimed to protecting children from bullying and as well as the Willville brothers, their Irish international team-mate Brian O’Driscoll and One Direction’s Niall Horan are amongst those showing their support.

A number of local schools will be holding anti-bullying weeks through March to raise the issue of bullying. The campaign’s national day of action is on March 7^th.

Full details are available from www.ispcc.ie

Rob Kearney was Tweeting his support for the campaign earlier today. It comes on the back of his impressive try for Ireland in their three point defeat to England at Twickenham at the weekend.

Rob Kearney scores his try against England on Saturday. GIF credit: Balls.ie

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%.