CONNACHT’S MICK KEARNEY believes his team’s 64-6 Heineken Cup hammering to Saracens has inspired their recent run of form, more so than the province’s famous win over Toulouse.
The lock will start in Connacht’s second row this evening at The Sportsground, with Treviso in town. Having exited the Heineken Cup to the tune of Saracens fans celebrating 11 unanswered tries, Pat Lam’s have regrouped in recent weeks to climb the league table. Victory over the Italian visitors could elevate Connacht to eighth in the table but Kearney insists his team are more concerned with positive performances than final standings.
“It is nice to get a good run of results after the Saracens game,” Kearney told TheScore.ie. ”The only hangover we had after that defeat was a positive one. One that focused the minds. We were angry with that performance and how the game finished. We know we are better than that and have shown that in the last few games. We know it won’t be easy against Treviso, though, as they pushed a very strong Ulster team close last weekend.”
For a side that has been forced to soldier on through a slew of injuries and stomach bugs, returns of Danie Poolman, Dave McSharry and Miah Nikora to fitness have been welcome. McSharry starts beside London Irish-bound Eoin Griffin, someone Kearney says has told the squad they will still get his full commitment until the season’s end. With Jake Heenan’s season now over, he is enthused about Willie Faloon’s imminent return to action.
Kearney says Conor Gilsenan — secured on an emergency loan from Leinster — is getting up to speed for a Connacht debut, in the coming weeks. “I like the idea of the Irish provinces helping each other out [with loans] in case of injuries. At the same time, it is a cut-throat business. I remember a few years back when Munster loaned us Peter Borlase before pulling him back the week we played them.”
Veteran lock Michael Swift affirmed his commitment to the province for another season this week and Kearney, speaking for his teammates, will be delighted to have him around. “From spending time with Swifty,” he remarks, “you wouldn’t know he was 36. He has so much energy. He absolutely loves the place, the team and the fans. He puts his body on the line each week and always has time for the younger lads.”
Two of the younger players to benefit from Swift’s wise words, Eoghan Masterson and Finlay Bealham, are in the squad for today’s game. Kearney, 22, says Lam’s belief in the next generation has kept the entire squad on their toes. “If the young guys train and play hard, they are given their chance. It means there is no comfort zones for the senior lads,” said Kearney.
The Dubliner is now in his third season with Connacht and is on course to win his 50th cap with the province by the end of the season. Club captain Craig Clarke’s concussion means he remains on the list for ‘indefinite’ returns. Kearney is in tandem with Aly Muldowney for the second game in succession but, having featured for Clontarf in the Ulster Bank League earlier in the season, he taking little for granted.
“I have signed a contract extension until June 2015 so that adds some certainty to my situation,” he commented. “I was playing for the Leinster U20s in 2011 — getting ready for the Junior World Championship with Ireland — but it didn’t look like Leinster had anything for me. Nigel Carolan recommended me to Connacht. I came down to meet [former head coach] Eric Elwood and Dan McFarland, really liked their energy and signed up.”
Kearney played in the JWC alongside the likes of Marty Moore, Jordi Murphy, Craig Gilroy, Andrew Conway and Paddy Jackson. The recent elevation of Murphy and Moore to the Ireland senior squad is no surprise to him and he is confident Jackson would prove his worth at out-half if he is pitched in from the start against Italy next weekend. “He was one of our vice captains and had a huge part to play in our tactics and play. He has taken his game to another level, again, since then,” said Kearney.
The promotion of former Ireland U20 teammates to the senior set-up gives Kearney encouragement that his chance may come in the coming seasons. “That’s what every player dreams about,” he says, “playing for Ireland. Joe Schmidt has been great for getting down to our training sessions and telling us what they are looking for. Personally, I’m trying to play as many games as I can for Connacht, establish myself here, and see where I go from there.”
Next up for Kearney is a meeting with Corniel van Zyl and Treviso captain Antonio Pavanello in the second row. The set-pieces of line-out and scrum will be crucial for Connacht to master if they are to make three [wins] the magic number. Kearney said, “They have a very strong pack. We will be looking to nullify that and play our own, attacking game. They play a good brand of rugby and have a few of their internationals back so we will need to be in top form.”
*Connacht v Treviso will not be televised. Tickets for the game are available online from tickets.ie, from the Connacht Rugby office, and from Centra and SuperValu stores province-wide.
