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 IRFU’s review into last year’s disastrous World Cup campaign found that Irish players had suffered from “performance anxiety” 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 IRFU’s National Professional Games Board and also chairs Cricket Ireland’s High Performance Advisory Group.
Questions continue to be raised about Ireland’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 – who left that role in 2016 – has also been helping players to deal with pressures outside of rugby, having come back in during the 2020 Six Nations.
“Gary has been with us for some weeks now and he has been doing a tremendous job, so that process has started,” said Farrell.
“Mick was obviously here in previous years as the manager but he is there as a mentor for many of the players as well.
“A lot of our players, it isn’t just the stress of a match week. For a lot of our players, it isn’t just the stress of a match week, they are dealing with life outside of rugby that can build up in a different manner.
“Mick 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.
“Gary’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.
“Stress comes from people wanting to put their best foot forward when they are given the opportunity. How do you deal with that? That’s something we can help from the outside, to help them along with that stress. That’s international football, isn’t it? That’s why it’s so different and why everyone wants to be a part of it.”
Ireland hooker Rob Herring says he and his team-mates have enjoyed Keegan’s input over recent weeks.
“It’s been good,” said Herring. “It’s something you probably hear a lot – trying to find an edge mentally and just to change things up.
“I guess it’s good to get another person’s insight into how we’re doing in camp and some of the things he has picked up, what we can improve and what we’re doing well.
“Individually, we’re connecting with him and he’s just looking at what your routine is and where you can make more improvements.
“It’s nothing major, just small things he’s noticing or where we can improve. Ultimately, everything you do individually adds up towards a better team performance. That’s the main thing we gain out of it.”
Farrell’s Ireland will need to be mentally clear and sharp for this weekend’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 Scotland’s improvements in 2020, he underlined his belief that Ireland will deliver a “big performance” this weekend and welcomed the return of captain and out-half Johnny Sexton.
“Johnny coming back from a hamstring injury is a big boost for the lads,” said Farrell. “He’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.
“He has been ahead of schedule, chomping at the bit, and he’s ready to go.
“He brings a feeling to the group that makes everyone feel right and ready to go for a big match at the weekend.”
Bernard Jackman, Murray Kinsella and Gavan Casey preview Ireland-Scotland, chat Ben Healy and Johnny Sexton’s futures, and discuss Argentina’s shocking handling of the racism storm involving their captain:
The42 Rugby Weekly / SoundCloud
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 always…obviously. Duh!
That’s just Dubs in general. They can’t help it. You’d nearly feel sorry for ‘em
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 farmers…not true of course.
Yes, whereas the footballers and hurlers from all other counties are demure and chivalrous to a man. What a pile of prejudiced sh!te.
Well yes, they are actually…compare Kilkenny senior hurlers to Dublin hurlers. One team have won it all yet remain humble and respectful, the other team…well yeah, just Dublin being Dublin
You really believe the Dublin hurlers disrepect possibly the greatest hurling team ever to grace a park? You’re more twisted in your Dub hatred than I first thought.
Dublin – “We don’t really give a damn about anyone else” Good man Dotsy )))
dublin play and act like every other team in the country yous all say we believe in the hype ,dont we all if a county’s doin well they get mega press and believe in the hype its not just dublin
(((((((((((((Well yes, they are actually…compare Kilkenny senior hurlers to Dublin hurlers. One team have won it all yet remain humble and respectful, the other team…well 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
dublin of course!
of course ? lol
ROFL
I’m a dub living in the country and the abuse I’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 forever…..
Haters, twisted haters.
Salt of the earth !
Head says Kerry, heart says Dublin. Up the Dubs!
I commented after the Dublin v Kildare game that I didn’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!
i think the pie chart should have been the ‘standard’ shades of blue colours…
My Dub flag is flying high in Langerland……… Cork people hate everyone other than themselves…….. Football to win after the donegal fiasco but sam is going to the DUBS
burnt toast give example of arrogance please
The ad for McDonalds … ” ‘You’re not in Longford now, Flynn’,” and “Don’t be stupid. It wrecks the cheese.” … Dubs know everything, of course!!
;)
@Alan. Have you ever reheated a big mac in the microwave?
Course not! It wrecks the cheese! … Doh!
Hm where to start, oh yeah… the hurling team pre-booking a bar in Dublin to celebrate their anticipated win against Kilkenny…who of course trashed them. Is that arrogance or gross stupidity, cringe :(
It’s called contingency, toast, having a plan for all eventualities. But you’re obviously coiled so tightly with apopectic hatred for all things Dublin that you’re ready to take every little detail and blow it out of all proportion.
hahaha oh that’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 ;)
Read this:
http://joe.ie/gaa/gaa-news/the-pre-emptive-dublin-hurlers-party-plans-pr-0013661-1
Think you’ll find it was the Bar and not the team who jumped the gun.
Your imminent apology is accepted, toast.
No, donl;t be silly…it 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 ? ))
Galvin holds key
Dublin haven’t had a great football team since the 70′s. They have Alan Brogan and ….????. Would Alan Brogan make the Kerry team, maybe, maybe not. I don’t like to see Kerry win but i’d say they’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.
Tony, the Dubs have Alan Brogan and reigning Footballer of the Year Bernard Brogan too… Read a newspaper, Pal…
Up the Dubs ;)
Oh wow, and how many Brogan’s have Kerry got ? Stop reading your tabloid papers ‘pal’ ;)
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 what’s in the papers with a pinch of salt.. I’m hoping Dublin win but not expecting it..
Correct on all counts Peter.
Who gives a flying f**k
I couldn’t care less.
Got any spare tickets?
Galvin to win it from the bench….
Gooch to be unstoppable, get man of the match and player of the year. You heard it here first.
You would swear life depended on this sport. Its a few guys running around a pitch. Utter boring. I’d rather sit on the toilet than sit and watch this match or any match for that matter.
I’ll be looking for a pub that has no television, thank you very much.
I take it the glass in your picture is half empty?
Yet you scrolled through all these comments…
Who cares about bog-ball, horrible primitive sport loved by lads with thick heads, and lasses with think ankles… Man Utd v Chelsea, 4pm Sunday, yes please!
My heart says Dublin……head says Kerry. :(
I’m so glad Dublin won! Eat your words haters :)
Dublin have a huge advantage playing at home in their usual championship stadium in front of what will probably be over 70% Dublin supporters.
No way , croker is kerrys home stadium , up Kerry
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 it’s a good game anyhoo