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15 moments of magic from birthday boy Rob Kearney

The Cooley native turns 28 today. Plenty of time for more derring-do feats of counter-attacking brilliance from the Ireland fullback.

Updated 15.00

LEINSTER AND IRELAND fullback Rob Kearney turns 28 today and is training with his province ahead of this weekend’s top of the Pro12 table clash with Munster.

Ever since breaking onto the scene with Leinster as a try-scoring, 19-year-old wunderkind, the Cooley native has been a counter-attacking menace and dominant in aerial battles. In tribute to the jersey he has made his own, for club and country, here are 15 of Kearney’s best moments.

1. Who’s the new kid?

Rob Kearney Kearney scored three tries in his first three senior games. 'Back me up Shaggy, I'm heading for the line'. INPHO INPHO

2. He always loved a good fence jump

Rob Kearney 23/3/2006 Three days before his 20th birthday, the sprightly Kearney (in his Own Tree Hill get-up) vaults a fence. Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

3. Who could ever forget the blonde highlights?

Rob Kearney Denis Leamy's training ground slagging soon taught Kearney the error of his ways. The highlights grew out a month after this picture (September 2006) and the black mane has been since left untouched, save for product. Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

4. His Ireland debut on the wing against Argentina

Rob Kearney gets tackled   2/6/2007 Ireland lost to Los Pumas and Kearney had to wait another eight months for cap number two, at centre, against Italy. Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

5. Kicking a conversion against Italy in 2009 en route to a Grand Slam

Rob Kearney He knocked over the extras following a Luke Fitzgerald try as Ronan O'Gara was still in a Roman sin bin. Hence, we will forgive him this photo (taken five days later). Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

6. Scoring a try for the Lions against South Africa

irb / YouTube

7. His stunning drop goal against Clermont in 2012

evan kane / YouTube

8. The GAA background, and skills

RK GAA Paul Gally Paul Gally

9. Superman try against Stade Francais

Rob Kearney scores a try Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

10. That dry Rob Kearney humour on Twitter

11. That parody Rob & Dave Kearney Twitter account

12. The epic breakaway try against the All Blacks

kirk side / YouTube

13. Dressing up as K.I.S.S with the lads

14. Another fine try against England

RBS 6 Nations / YouTube

15. He always finds time to support good causes

Jack Kavanagh and Rob Kearney at the game Rob pictured with Jack Kavanagh and the 2014 Six Nations trophy at the United 4 Jack fundraising match at Donnybrook last week. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

- Originally published 11.47.

‘When I arrived, the majority of the Ireland squad was Munster based’ – Doug Howlett

Here are all the statistics you need to know ahead of Leinster’s clash with Munster

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    Mute Conor Brougham
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    Mar 26th 2014, 12:17 PM

    Seems like a sound man! He’s no Brian though…! Jasus Brian’s great!!! When’s Brian’s birthday?

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    Mute Johnny O'Laddy
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    Mar 26th 2014, 5:34 PM

    if you were as big a Brian fan as you say you are then you’d know…

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    Mute Gary Gleeson
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    Mar 26th 2014, 1:21 PM

    You left off his battle cry as the teams left the field at half time vs New Zealand in November. One of his best moments.

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    Mute Aidan Conlon
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    Mar 26th 2014, 6:28 PM

    Good one paddy. Cant believe hes only 28. Seems like hes been around forever!!

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    Mute Robert Finnegan
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    Mar 26th 2014, 7:26 PM

    Absolute Kearnage!!

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    Mute Cormac Flanagan
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    Mar 26th 2014, 6:55 PM

    Think pic no 5 is wrong. That or the kit was casual wear an someone built a wall on the pitch.

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    Mute Shane Kearney
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    Mar 26th 2014, 5:06 PM

    Ah, shur aul’Big Rob is my first cousin *cough*

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    Mute Ciara Stack
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    Mar 27th 2014, 1:42 PM

    Isn’t he the most beautiful man ever

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    Mute Range Rover P38
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    Mar 27th 2014, 10:33 PM

    Every game a struggle without him.

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    Mute Oval Digest
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    Mar 28th 2014, 3:52 PM

    When has Rob Kearney started at centre for Ireland Patrick?

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    Mute vv7k7Z3c
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    Mar 28th 2014, 4:20 PM

    I believe he came off the bench in the closing stages of the Italy game in 2008 to replace O’Driscoll.

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    Mute Oval Digest
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    Mar 28th 2014, 5:17 PM

    If it’s the game after the WC in 2008, he came onto the wing for Darcy who hurt his arm and Trimble moved to the centre.

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    Mute vv7k7Z3c
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    Mar 29th 2014, 12:28 PM

    That was the game indeed. Cheers.

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