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Andy Farrell has turned to the man who transformed Irish amateur boxing to get Ireland out of a mental rut

Andy Farrell has named his squad for the 2021 Six Nations. (Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Gary Keegan, the man who transformed Irish amateur boxing, has been called in to help with the mental preparation of the Ireland rugby team under Andy Farrell. Farrell’s first calendar year in charge limps to a close with this Saturday’s Autumn Nations Cup playoff versus Scotland. 

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Farrell, whose record so far is Won 5 Lost 3, has made six changes to his XV for that third-placed match following the disgruntlement of last Sunday’s limited win over tournament minnows Georgia.

He then let slip at his post-team announcement media conference on Thursday that he has been accessing outside help recently to help to motivate his squad. Mick Kearney, the former team manager from the Declan Kidney and early Joe Schmidt era, has returned to the fold in a mentoring role but the addition of Keegan is an intriguing move.

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Dylan Hartley and Jamie Roberts talk Autumn Nations Cup and what could make rugby a better spectacle

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      Dylan Hartley and Jamie Roberts talk Autumn Nations Cup and what could make rugby a better spectacle

      Irish amateur boxing only had one boxer qualify for each of the Olympics in Sydney in 2000 and Athens in 2004, but Keegan’s work as performance director laid the foundations for the winning of three medals at Beijing 2008 and four at London 2012 along with multiple medals at world and European level. 

      Keegan is now CEO of his own company Uppercut and has been a member of the IRFU’s professional game board in recent years before becoming hands-on in recent weeks with Farrell’s charges.  

      “Gary Keegan has been with us for some weeks now doing a tremendous job,” revealed Farrell after naming an Ireland team that sees fit-again Johnny Sexton return as skipper. “Gary’s mental skills as far as helping how that translates to performance is what he is second to none at and his whole connection piece, bringing all the management and playing squad together, is a big part of his remit.

      “Mick Kearney was there in previous years as a manager but he is there as a mentor for many of the players as well. It isn’t just the stress of a match week, it’s dealing with life outside rugby as well. That can be a whole build up in a different manner and Mick helps massively with that mentoring outside of rugby. With Gary and Mick we are well on our way to starting something that is going to help in the future.”

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      Irish rugby’s dip in fortunes post-Schmidt has not been confined to the field as their stark financial situation has seen no negotiations open yet with the 50 per cent of the Test/provincial player roster whose contracts expire at the end of the 2020/21 season. 

      Farrell insisted he was fully aware of the sitiation regarding all the players in Ireland. “As a head coach I know all about that and I know where everyone is individually. But honestly, the feel in the group you would never know it exists. The players have been in absolute magnificent form for a period of eight weeks.

      “The drive has been second to none to learn and get better. You would never think that’s at the forefront of the mind, which is massive credit for them.

      “We are dealing with that type of stuff from a mental performance preparation aspect. It’s something we are touching on constantly, that we have helped with along the way. Stress comes from people wanting to put their best foot forward when they are given an opportunity, how you deal with that. 

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      “That is our job and the help we get from the outside to help them along with that stress. That’s international football, that’s why it is so different and that is why everyone wants to be a part of it.”

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      PL 2 hours ago
      Lions Tour Aussie takes: Bigger is better, the stars who failed to fire

      I find it interesting that journalists who have done nothing in rugby comment on selections & coaching like they are experts

      Concussive injury’s will remove insurance cover from the game unless their is strict application of the laws designed to remove MND Parkinson’s and CTE from the game


      Head on head I saw red to Adam Coleman as tackler for Irish while unconscious on a stretcher - concussions occur without twitching on the ground or the wobbly boot - I know I had maybe 20 from rugby


      The officiating of last feet is non existent

      The lack of effective wrap by Lions front rower & that decision had a close relationship with ordure in a toilet

      A head on head tackle red for Coleman not even penalty lead to a try in a phase or 2


      Powys v Evans lead to a £> 2 mill verdict against the ref personally special leveraged to Hiuse of Lords

      Refs will stop reffing with no insurance then no game


      About 5 years ago 4 or 5 French colts died from head hits in elite club games - that led to below sternum law - hamlets honoured in breach not observance

      Last feet non existent - enforcement favour flowing rugby nor lions meat grinder forwards get momentum and puck & drive NZ Vowel noise


      The UK Class Action could be very well be lost WRC will try every dirty trick in case they already used dial a neuros to argue the unarguable is law gossip


      I reffed ref coached & assessed for ruffly 17 seasons


      The application of laws is like a zig zag on speed

      Line out laws not enforced scrums tight pulling loose down one side mirror on other side elbow pointing to ground stretch marks on jersey

      Der moment the refs need to go Soec Savers

      My bet unless they stop lack of intestinal fortitude game management


      Yellow every time head contact or above sternum


      Needs sterner GMGs material impact removed set piece caterpillar remove

      Last feet to last feet + 1 m


      When I reffed I kept them well apart - hated me till they got over yellow and they actually had fun & complemented me post game backs had room and pick and drive had momentum


      As for intentional foul play like tackle in air auto red no replacement 100,000 fine player 250,000 club


      Treble it for international 26 week suspension & it’s disappear over night

      25 were scrum for dissent


      Penalty all this rubbish shots at opponents after error


      All the s.ite would disappear


      The pathetic unsportsmanlike behaviour would lead to standards


      Remember Les Boyd’s penalty re Brohman -if that is the way we treat foul play but while foul play with potential serious injury with a feather duster like we are the game is destined to no insurance following that no refs cause would you risk bankruptcy like Powys v Evans

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