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Cathal Noonan/INPHO

Ireland draft in high-performance coach Gary Keegan to work on mental skills

Keegan was a key figure in the transformation of Irish boxing.

IRELAND HEAD COACH Andy Farrell has revealed that they have drafted in high-performance coach Gary Keegan to work on their mental skills this autumn.

The IRFUโ€™s review into last yearโ€™s disastrous World Cup campaign found that Irish players had suffered from โ€œperformance anxietyโ€ at the tournament in Japan.

Long-serving mental skills specialist Enda McNulty parted ways with Ireland in the wake of that tournament but Farrell, who took over from Joe Schmidt after the World Cup, has now called in the highly-regarded Keegan to work with his players.

Keegan was previously a major influence in the transformation of Irish boxing, helping to drive it towards to big successes at the Olympics.

He has worked with hurling and football teams, as well as with Leinster Rugby. The experienced Keegan is now part of the IRFUโ€™s National Professional Games Board and also chairs Cricket Irelandโ€™s High Performance Advisory Group.

Questions continue to be raised about Irelandโ€™s confidence and mental skills in the wake of their dire second-half performance against Georgia last weekend when they failed to pull clear of the visitors in Dublin.

But Farrell says Ireland have been working on his side of their game with Keegan, while former Ireland team manager Mick Kearney โ€“ who left that role in 2016 โ€“ has also been helping players to deal with pressures outside of rugby, having come back in during the 2020 Six Nations.

โ€œGary has been with us for some weeks now and he has been doing a tremendous job, so that process has started,โ€ said Farrell.

โ€œMick was obviously here in previous years as the manager but he is there as a mentor for many of the players as well.

andy-farrell Andy Farrell's Ireland have drafted in Keegan. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

โ€œA lot of our players, it isnโ€™t just the stress of a match week. For a lot of our players, it isnโ€™t just the stress of a match week, they are dealing with life outside of rugby that can build up in a different manner.

โ€œMick helps massively with mentors for players outside of rugby. With Gary and Mick, we are well on our way to starting something there that will be a big help in the future.

โ€œGaryโ€™s mental skills as far as how that translates to performance is second to none and his whole connection piece in bringing the whole squad and the management into a place together is a big part of his remit.

โ€œStress comes from people wanting to put their best foot forward when they are given the opportunity. How do you deal with that? Thatโ€™s something we can help from the outside, to help them along with that stress. Thatโ€™s international football, isnโ€™t it? Thatโ€™s why itโ€™s so different and why everyone wants to be a part of it.โ€

Ireland hooker Rob Herring says he and his team-mates have enjoyed Keeganโ€™s input over recent weeks.

โ€œItโ€™s been good,โ€ said Herring. โ€œItโ€™s something you probably hear a lot โ€“ trying to find an edge mentally and just to change things up.

โ€œI guess itโ€™s good to get another personโ€™s insight into how weโ€™re doing in camp and some of the things he has picked up, what we can improve and what weโ€™re doing well.

โ€œIndividually, weโ€™re connecting with him and heโ€™s just looking at what your routine is and where you can make more improvements.

โ€œItโ€™s nothing major, just small things heโ€™s noticing or where we can improve. Ultimately, everything you do individually adds up towards a better team performance. Thatโ€™s the main thing we gain out of it.โ€

mick-kearney Former team manager Mick Kearney has been mentoring Ireland players. Colm O'Neill / INPHO Colm O'Neill / INPHO / INPHO

Farrellโ€™s Ireland will need to be mentally clear and sharp for this weekendโ€™s Autumn Nations Cup third-place play-off clash with Scotland in Dublin.

With Ireland having struggled in the second half against Georgia, the Scots will be eyeing their first away win in Dublin since 2010.

While Farrell noted Scotlandโ€™s improvements in 2020, he underlined his belief that Ireland will deliver a โ€œbig performanceโ€ this weekend and welcomed the return of captain and out-half Johnny Sexton.

โ€œJohnny coming back from a hamstring injury is a big boost for the lads,โ€ said Farrell. โ€œHeโ€™s our captain and has been missing for a couple of weeks, although he has been working unbelievably hard in the background to make his presence felt.

โ€œHe has been ahead of schedule, chomping at the bit, and heโ€™s ready to go.

โ€œHe brings a feeling to the group that makes everyone feel right and ready to go for a big match at the weekend.โ€

Bernard Jackman, Murray Kinsella and Gavan Casey preview Ireland-Scotland, chat Ben Healy and Johnny Sextonโ€™s futures, and discuss Argentinaโ€™s shocking handling of the racism storm involving their captain:


The42 Rugby Weekly / SoundCloud

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    Mute Burnt Toast
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    Sep 16th 2011, 12:40 PM

    Both the Dublin footballers and hurlers are arrogant and seem to display little or no respect for other teams. The funny thing is, they have won f**k all and are disliked universally throughout the land for their attitude. Kerry will win, as alwaysโ€ฆobviously. Duh!

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    Mute JimBob Hillbill
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    Sep 16th 2011, 12:59 PM

    Thatโ€™s just Dubs in general. They canโ€™t help it. Youโ€™d nearly feel sorry for โ€˜em

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    Mute Stuart Doyle
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    Sep 16th 2011, 1:59 PM

    Your basing this opinion on previous Dublin teams,who believed their media hype,this team doesnt have that arrogance and youl see it when they play Kerry on Sunday.Remember everyone said Tyrone would wipe the floor with Dublin and Donegals defence would be too much oh and not to forget the fact that Kildare had already won the all Ireland according to some parts of the media.So you cant write the dubs off just yet.
    And as for saying all dub people are arrogant,its like me saying all non dubs are uneducated farmersโ€ฆnot true of course.

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    Mute Gavin Hoey
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    Sep 16th 2011, 5:10 PM

    Yes, whereas the footballers and hurlers from all other counties are demure and chivalrous to a man. What a pile of prejudiced sh!te.

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    Mute Burnt Toast
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    Sep 16th 2011, 5:34 PM

    Well yes, they are actuallyโ€ฆcompare Kilkenny senior hurlers to Dublin hurlers. One team have won it all yet remain humble and respectful, the other teamโ€ฆwell yeah, just Dublin being Dublin

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    Mute Gavin Hoey
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    Sep 16th 2011, 5:40 PM

    You really believe the Dublin hurlers disrepect possibly the greatest hurling team ever to grace a park? Youโ€™re more twisted in your Dub hatred than I first thought.

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    Mute Burnt Toast
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    Sep 16th 2011, 5:55 PM

    Dublin โ€“ โ€œWe donโ€™t really give a damn about anyone elseโ€ Good man Dotsy )))

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    Mute Eoin Gannon
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    Sep 16th 2011, 9:54 PM

    dublin play and act like every other team in the country yous all say we believe in the hype ,dont we all if a countyโ€™s doin well they get mega press and believe in the hype its not just dublin

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    Mute Eoin Gannon
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    Sep 16th 2011, 10:01 PM

    (((((((((((((Well yes, they are actuallyโ€ฆcompare Kilkenny senior hurlers to Dublin hurlers. One team have won it all yet remain humble and respectful, the other teamโ€ฆwell yeah, just Dublin being Dublin)))))))))))) burnt toast

    just remember we beat kilkenny twice in the league almost beat them in the leinster final in which we played fair while kilkenny fouled us everytime vwe got the ball and if we had beaten tip we would have given kilkenny a hell of a game and may well have beaten them

    also we have a young team takin out the top teams in ireland all through the year of course some of it will get to the players

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    Mute Ando Winters
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    Sep 16th 2011, 12:04 PM

    dublin of course!

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    Mute Burnt Toast
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    Sep 16th 2011, 12:37 PM

    of course ? lol

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    Mute JimBob Hillbill
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    Sep 16th 2011, 12:58 PM

    ROFL

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    Mute Rachel Howe
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    Sep 16th 2011, 1:22 PM

    Iโ€™m a dub living in the country and the abuse Iโ€™m getting over my Dublin flag is unreal!! I am by no means arrogant, just a fan. Really hope the lads do it, true blue foreverโ€ฆ..

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    Mute Gavin Hoey
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    Sep 16th 2011, 5:16 PM

    Haters, twisted haters.

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    Mute Burnt Toast
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    Sep 16th 2011, 5:40 PM

    Salt of the earth !

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    Mute BcuTCM0P
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    Sep 16th 2011, 12:24 PM

    Head says Kerry, heart says Dublin. Up the Dubs!

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    Mute seamus moore
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    Sep 16th 2011, 12:10 PM

    I commented after the Dublin v Kildare game that I didnโ€™t think either team would win the All Ireland. Given my record to date, you would be well advised to bet on the Dubs to win!

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    Mute benkenealy
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    Sep 16th 2011, 12:13 PM

    i think the pie chart should have been the โ€˜standardโ€™ shades of blue coloursโ€ฆ

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    Mute Ciaran J Ward
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    Sep 16th 2011, 3:03 PM

    My Dub flag is flying high in Langerlandโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆ Cork people hate everyone other than themselvesโ€ฆโ€ฆ.. Football to win after the donegal fiasco but sam is going to the DUBS

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    Mute Peter Murray
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    Sep 16th 2011, 12:49 PM

    burnt toast give example of arrogance please

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    Mute Alan Larkin
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    Sep 16th 2011, 1:13 PM

    The ad for McDonalds โ€ฆ โ€ โ€˜Youโ€™re not in Longford now, Flynnโ€™,โ€ and โ€œDonโ€™t be stupid. It wrecks the cheese.โ€ โ€ฆ Dubs know everything, of course!!

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    Mute Alan Larkin
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    Sep 16th 2011, 1:14 PM

    ;)

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    Mute BcuTCM0P
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    Sep 16th 2011, 1:22 PM

    @Alan. Have you ever reheated a big mac in the microwave?

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    Mute Alan Larkin
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    Sep 16th 2011, 1:29 PM

    Course not! It wrecks the cheese! โ€ฆ Doh!

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    Mute Burnt Toast
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    Sep 16th 2011, 4:24 PM

    Hm where to start, oh yeahโ€ฆ the hurling team pre-booking a bar in Dublin to celebrate their anticipated win against Kilkennyโ€ฆwho of course trashed them. Is that arrogance or gross stupidity, cringe :(

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    Mute Gavin Hoey
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    Sep 16th 2011, 5:15 PM

    Itโ€™s called contingency, toast, having a plan for all eventualities. But youโ€™re obviously coiled so tightly with apopectic hatred for all things Dublin that youโ€™re ready to take every little detail and blow it out of all proportion.

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    Mute Burnt Toast
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    Sep 16th 2011, 5:36 PM

    hahaha oh thatโ€™s what it is called is it, funny how no other GAA team in the history of the game have had such a premature contingency plan blow up in their face lol Good man yourself, anymore jokes ;)

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    Mute Gavin Hoey
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    Sep 16th 2011, 5:48 PM

    Read this:
    http://joe.ie/gaa/gaa-news/the-pre-emptive-dublin-hurlers-party-plans-pr-0013661-1

    Think youโ€™ll find it was the Bar and not the team who jumped the gun.

    Your imminent apology is accepted, toast.

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    Mute Burnt Toast
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    Sep 16th 2011, 5:57 PM

    No, donl;t be sillyโ€ฆit was the team and that is well known. No good getting your PR boys to spin a story blaming the bar. Have they booked the Shelbourne for Sundays celebrations yet I wonder, will you be there ? ))

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    Mute padraiggrey
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    Sep 16th 2011, 12:42 PM

    Galvin holds key

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    Mute Tony Stamper
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    Sep 16th 2011, 1:04 PM

    Dublin havenโ€™t had a great football team since the 70โ€ฒs. They have Alan Brogan and โ€ฆ.????. Would Alan Brogan make the Kerry team, maybe, maybe not. I donโ€™t like to see Kerry win but iโ€™d say theyโ€™ll walk this one, win by 10 points. The cheap Dublin players always hype up Dublin in the campaign and their fans buy in to it every time.

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    Mute Eric Haughan
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    Sep 16th 2011, 1:38 PM

    Tony, the Dubs have Alan Brogan and reigning Footballer of the Year Bernard Brogan tooโ€ฆ Read a newspaper, Palโ€ฆ

    Up the Dubs ;)

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    Mute Burnt Toast
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    Sep 16th 2011, 4:26 PM

    Oh wow, and how many Broganโ€™s have Kerry got ? Stop reading your tabloid papers โ€˜palโ€™ ;)

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    Mute Peter Murray
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    Sep 16th 2011, 1:43 PM

    wrong tony, the media always hype up Dublin, players say no different to players from other counties and the genuine fans know exactly how good or bad the team is so take whatโ€™s in the papers with a pinch of salt.. Iโ€™m hoping Dublin win but not expecting it..

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    Mute Gavin Hoey
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    Sep 16th 2011, 5:17 PM

    Correct on all counts Peter.

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    Mute HEADWRECKER
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    Sep 16th 2011, 2:52 PM

    Who gives a flying f**k

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    Mute neuromancer
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    Sep 16th 2011, 2:15 PM

    I couldnโ€™t care less.

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    Mute Gavin Hoey
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    Sep 16th 2011, 5:17 PM

    Got any spare tickets?

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    Mute Ciaran FitzGerald
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    Sep 16th 2011, 4:22 PM

    Galvin to win it from the benchโ€ฆ.

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    Mute Cormac Flanagan
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    Sep 16th 2011, 4:35 PM

    Gooch to be unstoppable, get man of the match and player of the year. You heard it here first.

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    Mute neuromancer
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    Sep 16th 2011, 4:42 PM

    You would swear life depended on this sport. Its a few guys running around a pitch. Utter boring. Iโ€™d rather sit on the toilet than sit and watch this match or any match for that matter.

    Iโ€™ll be looking for a pub that has no television, thank you very much.

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    Mute Damien Casey
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    Sep 16th 2011, 5:54 PM

    I take it the glass in your picture is half empty?

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    Mute Donncha Foley
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    Sep 16th 2011, 11:16 PM

    Yet you scrolled through all these commentsโ€ฆ

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    Mute Gordon Bernard
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    Sep 16th 2011, 3:33 PM

    Who cares about bog-ball, horrible primitive sport loved by lads with thick heads, and lasses with think anklesโ€ฆ Man Utd v Chelsea, 4pm Sunday, yes please!

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    Mute Patricia Brennan
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    Sep 16th 2011, 2:32 PM

    My heart says Dublinโ€ฆโ€ฆhead says Kerry. :(

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    Mute Ash Farren
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    Sep 18th 2011, 7:00 PM

    Iโ€™m so glad Dublin won! Eat your words haters :)

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    Mute Damien Casey
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    Sep 16th 2011, 5:53 PM

    Dublin have a huge advantage playing at home in their usual championship stadium in front of what will probably be over 70% Dublin supporters.

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    Mute Des Doherty
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    Sep 16th 2011, 7:06 PM

    No way , croker is kerrys home stadium , up Kerry

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    Mute Donncha Foley
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    Sep 16th 2011, 11:22 PM

    Dublin defensive system will give Kerry half back line too much space, Kerry will score more. So Dublin must attack, reducing their defence meaning Kerry will score more. Galvin is there just in case. I think! Hope itโ€™s a good game anyhoo

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