Dave Kearney appears on Ireland AM saying it will be difficult to fill BOD’s boots.

Tuesday 18th, 17:02pm

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IMMEDIATE: Tuesday 18th March, 2014.

Dave Kearney appears on Ireland AM saying it will be difficult to fill BOD’s boots.

Irish Rugby International Dave Kearney appeared on Ireland AM this morning to speak about a unique charity match organised by The Jack Kavanagh Trust.

Kearney credited Brian O’Driscoll for his development as a player and said that it will be difficult to fill his boots.

To watch the full interview, click here.

Ireland AM airs Monday to Friday from 7am – 10.45am on TV3.

Irish Rugby International Dave Kearney appeared on Ireland AM this morning to speak to Mark Cagney about a unique charity match organised by The Jack Kavanagh Trust. Speaking about Ireland’s victory against France on Saturday to claim the RBS 6 Nations title, Kearney said that in the last 10 minutes even he saw the victory slipping out of their grasp.

“It was pretty special and nerve-wrecking at the same time, the last 10 minutes obviously was pretty difficult to watch.”

Kearney likened playing with Brian O’Driscoll to “having a coach playing inside you because I think his knowledge of the game as well is spectacular.” Kearney also said that BOD helped with his development as a player.

“It’s going to be pretty difficult to fill boots of man like Brian O’Driscoll. He’s been unbelievable for the last 12, 13 years of his career. I think on and off the pitch as well, for me growing up as a player and coming into the academy at a young age, to have someone like him to play inside you has been a real important part of my development as a player.”

The Ireland Left Wing also addressed the fact that he may have spent this Championship on the bench had Tommy Bowe, Keith Earls and Simon Zebo not been injured.

“Sport is pretty fickle and for the back three in particular, there’s pretty strong competition there so of course sport doesn’t go your way sometimes and you get injuries and set-backs and things like that so I think that’s really the time when you need to perform. I think a lot of it is luck as well and timing.

“I think it’s the same for any player who is trying to get into a position, when a player is performing well and they get injured, it opens an opportunity for other guys to get a chance, I think that’s when you really need to take it because like you mentioned, some of the guys who are not involved, it makes you perform and really keeps you on your toes.”

Kearney also spoke about the upcoming Leinster v Munster game on Saturday 29th March.

“No better way to get back into playing with your province. I think Munster v Leinster games are always so competitive and always so tough, it’s nearly like you’re playing at international level again because they’re so physical. I think the fact that Leinster and Munster are performing so well this season makes it more of a battle.”

The charity match takes place in Donnybrook on Thursday, March 20th at 6.30pm.The Jesuit schools (Clongowes, Belvedere College and Gonzaga) will take on the Holy Ghost schools (Blackrock, St Michael's, St Mary's and Templeogue College ) to help raise funds for Jack who broke his neck and became paralysed after diving into a wave while on holiday.

Ground entry tickets are €10, Stand ticket €25, Premium ticket €70 to include stand entry and a pre-match lunch in Old Belvedere.

For further information please visit: http://www.jackkavanaghtrust.com/

To watch the full interview, click here.

Ireland AM airs Monday to Friday from 7am – 10.45am on TV3.

ENDS

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Jean O’Donovan

Press & Publicity Assistant

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Sharon McHugh
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publicity@tv3.ie
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