Dave Kearney confirms Leinster exit, pays tribute to brother Rob
Former Ireland winger Dave Kearney has called time on his near 14-year career at Leinster, announcing he will leave the Irish province at the end of the current season. However, there was no indication whether the soon-to-be 34-year-old is retiring from the game or seeking out a move overseas.
Older brother Rob brought the curtain down on his stellar career by playing a Super Rugby Pacific season for Western Force in 2021 before his retirement and it now remains to be seen if Dave will do something similar or else call it quits after exiting Leinster.
Kearney, who played 19 times for Ireland, has won 185 caps for Leinster to date since his debut against Dragons in May 2009, winning the Heineken Champions Cup, Amlin Cup and six PRO12/14 trophies. He started his rugby with Dundalk and represented Lansdowne in the All-Ireland League.
A statement read: “It’s been nearly 14 years to the day since I first had the privilege of wearing the Leinster Rugby jersey for the first time. As I reflect on my career, the overriding feeling I get is that of gratitude. Walking through the doors of Leinster rugby to join the academy in 2008, I never could have dreamt I’d still be here almost 15 years on.
“To have had such a long career playing for the team I grew up supporting, as well as representing my country has been a dream come true. It’s been an incredible journey, filled with some of the most special moments of my life, ones that I will cherish deeply. There have been plenty of challenges along the way, ups and downs, but I wouldn’t change a thing.
“I’m grateful for all the people that made this possible, in particular, my parents. To mum and dad, nobody has felt the highs and lows of professional sport more than you. Thank you so much for your unwavering support and dedication to me throughout my time here. You have both always been there for me and sacrificed so much in order for me to do what I’ve done.
“To my siblings Richard and Sara thank you also for your love and support. You have followed me all over the world in blue and in green and having you guys there to celebrate and share these great days with me has made them even more special.
“To Rob, you have minded me every step of the way, from my first day in Leinster right until this point. I have no doubt that I wouldn’t have reached today without you by my side. Being able to share the pitch with you for both Leinster and Ireland have been the most memorable moments of my life. To Becca, thank you for all your sacrifices and support. I can’t wait for our next chapter together.
“To my Leinster family, thank you. To all the staff and coaches I have worked with, in particular, Michael Cheika, who gave me my first cap, Joe Schmidt, Matt O’Connor, Leo Cullen and Stuart Lancaster – thank you for always believing in me.
“To all the players I have had the honour of sharing the pitch with, thanks to each of you. You have all helped me along the way in some shape or form and made me a better player. I’ve built some amazing relationships along the way, ones that I’ll have for the rest of my life.
“Thanks to all in Dundalk RFC for your support, the place where I first picked up a rugby ball. To all the people and coaches I have worked with in Clongowes Wood College and Lansdowne FC, you also played a huge part in helping me grow and develop both as a player and person.
“To all the strength and conditioning staff, the doctors and physios, thank you. You have all helped me through some tough periods of my career. You have all worked incredibly hard to keep me on the pitch, and I’ll always be very grateful for that.
“Lastly to all the Leinster fans, thank you for your constant support and encouragement throughout my time here. We as players are truly blessed to have you as our supporters. I’ll miss the feeling of running out to a packed RDS or Aviva the most.
“In the meantime, there is still plenty more to be done. I’m going to enjoy every moment I have during my last few weeks as Leinster a player and I’m going to do all I can to help this team finish the season on a high.”
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A few comments. Firstly, I am a Bok fan and it's been a golden period for us. I hope my fellow Bok fans appreciate this time and know that it cannot last forever, so soak it all in!
The other thing to mention (and this is targeted at Welsh, English and even Aussie supporters who might be feeling somewhat dejected) is that it's easy to forget that just before Rassie Erasmus took over in 2018, the Boks were ranked 7th in the world and I had given up hope we'd ever be world beaters again.
Sport is a fickle thing and Rassie and his team have managed to get right whatever little things it takes to make a mediocre team great. I initially worried his methods might be short-lived (how many times can you raise a person's commitment by talking about his family and his love of his country as a motivator), but he seems to have found a way. After winning in 2019 on what was a very simple game plan, he has taken things up ever year - amazing work which has to be applauded! (Dankie Rassie! Ons wardeer wat jy vir die ondersteuners en die land doen!) (Google translate if you don't understand Afrikaans! 😁)
I don't think people outside South Africa fully comprehend the enormity of the impact seeing black and white, English, Afrikaans and Xhosa and all the other hues playing together does for the country's sense of unity. It's pure joy and happiness.
This autumn tour has been a bit frustrating in that the Boks have won, but never all that convincingly. On the one hand, I'd like to have seen more decisive victories, BUT what Rassie has done is expose a huge number of players to test rugby, whilst also diversifying the way the Boks play (Tony Brown's influence).
This change of both style and personnel has resulted in a lack of cohesion at times and we've lost some of the control, whereas had we been playing our more traditional style, that wouldn't happen. This is partially attributable to the fact that you cannot play Tony Brown's expansive game whilst also having 3 players available at every contact point to clear the defence off the ball. I have enjoyed seeing the Boks play a more exciting, less attritional game, which is a boring, albeit effective spectacle. So, I am happy to be patient, because the end justifies the means (and I trust Rassie!). Hopefully all these players we are blooding will give us incredible options for substitutions come next year's Rugby Championship and of course, the big prize in 2027.
Last point! The game of rugby has never been as exciting as it is now. Any of Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, France, Argentina, Scotland, England & Australia can beat one another. South Africa may be ranked #1, but I wouldn't bet my house in them beating France or New Zealand, and we saw Argentina beating both South Africa and New Zealand this year! That's wonderful for the game and makes the victories we do get all the sweeter. Each win is 100% earned. Long may it last!
Sorry for the long post! 🏉🌍
Go to commentsWouldn’t mind seeing that grounding in slow mo there. Too much to ask?
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