THE IRFU HAVE this morning issued confirmation that Rob Kearney has penned a deal that will extend his contract until the end of the 2019-20 season.
The development puts an end to uncertainty over Kearney’s future, after the Leinster and Ireland fullback had been linked with a move to a French club after the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
“Rob has contributed a huge amount to Irish Rugby and has performed at a high level again this year for Ireland and Leinster,” said IRFU Performance Director David Nucifora. “We are delighted that he will continue his career in Ireland in what will be his 15th season as a senior pro.”
While earning 90 caps for Ireland, Kearney has won four Six Nations titles (including two Grand Slams). With Leinster, the 33-year-old has won four European Cups. In his 209th appearance, he secured his fifth Celtic League/Pro Rugby title on Saturday at Celtic Park. The victory over Glasgow Warriors marked his 209th appearance for the province.
“I am feeling pretty good about where I am physically and mentally after a long season which has contained a few lows but also some massive highs,” Kearney said.
“There are goals I still want to achieve with both Leinster and Ireland next season, but I will enjoy a couple of weeks off now before getting stuck into what will be a hugely exciting season for Irish Rugby.”
In an interview last night on Off The Ball, the Louth native admitted that the delay in reaching an agreement with the IRFU over a new deal was partly due to his preference for his contract to be extended by two years instead of one.
Kearney will look to play in his third World Cup when Ireland begin their campaign in Japan in September.
Gavan Casey is joined by Murray Kinsella and Sean Farrell for a review of the 2018/19 season, and cast an eye forward to next year and the Rugby World Cup in Japan.:
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Awesome men, be unreal if they can defend their crown, national treasures.
An Irish athlete has won a gold medal in rowing, and yesterday 2 of them in swimming thats 3 gold medals for Irish athletes so far. Though 2 of them were representing GB they are still Irish, and it should be noted, not many gold medals come to these shores.
@Kingshu: awh now, We give out shit when the Brits claim ours we can’t be doing the same!
@Mike O’Loughlin: in NI the Irish and British identities are not mutually exclusive, a large number of people are both, that doesn’t make them less Irish.
@Kingshu: no gold yet in rowing
@Kingshu: but you are right all for ni are irish but we perfer when the tri colour and anthem is played
@Mike O’Loughlin: just to add Jack McMillan represented Ireland in the last Olympics.
@Square: Gold in rowing was Hannah Scott from Colraine.
@Kingshu: ya but no tri colour are anthem so she british gold
@Square: Irish athlete won a gold medal. The tri colour isnt the flag of every Irish person in Ireland. Like Jack McMillan we should be proud of another Irish person winning gold.
@Kingshu: na he is GB
@Square: did you say that when he was swimming for Ireland in last Olympics? Representing Ireland or GB he’s still Irish, and I’m proud when any Irish athlete gets a gold medal, are you not?
@Kingshu: when running for GB its different as i said we dont support GB is all im saying i know he is irish but dont support GB
@Square: So you’re letting your hate of GB trump your love for the Irish?
@Kingshu: i hate nobody are any country lets leave it now