Ian Keatley Interview
Ian Keatley is an Irish fly-half who has shown plenty of promise in his early career; first within the Leinster Academy and more prominently over the past two seasons at the Sportsground with Connacht. He won two full Ireland caps on the summer tour to North America in 2009, but has since dropped down the pecking order on the International scene.
With his recent move to European powerhouse Munster, Keatley will be looking to push his career on to the next level and regain the Irish 10 jersey.
Talking Rugby Union caught up with him on Thursday to get his thoughts and feelings on the big season ahead of him, and everything else rugby-related...
TRU: Hi Ian. Growing up in Dublin, who influenced you most in rugby, and which Irish players did you look up to and aspire to be like?
IK: Watching rugby on TV when I was a kid, Jonny Wilkinson was the main man. Ronan O'Gara and David Humphries were my heroes growing up, but Wilko changed everything with that kick [the winning drop goal at the 2003 Rugby World Cup Final], I'd say he's influenced me most.
TRU: With your move to Munster how much are you looking forward to working with and potentially eventually replacing Ronan O'Gara?
IK: I'm really looking forward to working with him. It's difficult as there's a bit of a divide when you're in Munster with two training bases - he's based in Cork and I'm in Limerick, so I only get to work with him once or twice a week, but it's all good experience. I'm really looking forward to playing with him - but not looking to replace anyone. I'm more focused on my own game which will hopefully improve and lead to other things.
TRU: How do you think this move can help develop your game?
IK: Being surrounded by top class players and coaches I've learnt a lot already through video analysis, listening to new voices and new ideas that have added to my own game. I feel like I've developed here already and can only see myself getting better.
TRU: Having previously won two Irish caps you must hope that signing for such a big club will help your future International aspirations?
IK: I won my caps when the Internationals were away in South Africa with the Lions but I'm disappointed I haven't been back in the mix since. That's one reason why I've come to Munster to get back in the Irish set-up - to hopefully keep developing as a player and make the Irish squad for the next Rugby World Cup.
TRU: After two good years at Connacht, do you leave with an element of sadness? Are you disappointed you won't be there for their first Heineken Cup season?
IK: With the greatest respect, one of the main reasons I left Connacht was because I wanted to play at the highest level of rugby - I've moved on to a big club and I'm delighted with my move. I'm going to miss Galway City and all my friends down there - they're a good group of lads that work just as hard as anyone. So I am sad to leave, but delighted to be here in Munster now.
TRU: How important do you think the move to Connacht initially from the Leinster Academy was for your career?
IK: Looking back, it helped me a lot. I don't know what would have happened had I stayed - would I have got an opportunity? I can't know. I do know that I got a good chance at Connacht. I won plenty of caps in the Magners League, got to a semi-final of the Amlin Challenge Cup and won loads of experience and game time that some of the younger players are sadly lacking. I got that chance at Connacht so I never regret my move there.
TRU: You're not the only one to have left the Sportsground for pastures new this season. How do you expect Jamie Hagan, Sean Cronin and Fionn Carr to fare at Leinster in 2011/12?
IK: I lived with Sean and Fionn and we all decided to move at the same time which is ironic. The three lads are very good players and they will do well with Leinster. They've all left now which is unfortunate for Connacht, but at the end of the day a player's got to look after himself. It's his job, his living and he only has a small time as a player to make the most of it.
TRU: Coming in to replace you are the likes of Niall O'Connor, Thomas Anderson and two Welsh under 20 Internationals, Matthew Jarvis and James Loxton. Have you got any advice for them as they build their careers in Galway?
IK: I played with Niall at under 20s level, he's a really good player and I've known him for a long time. He'll fit in well at Connacht. I don't know much about the Welsh lads, but my advice is live well, keep positive and keep working on their games hard.
TRU: With your move to Munster you'll be competing for a starting place with some excellent players like O'Gara, Keith Earls and Felix Jones. What will you be trying to do to take your game to the next level and cement a place in the Munster XV?
IK: I'm surrounded by quality players. Ronan O'Gara has been around the professional game for over thirteen years now, so he's one of the best. I'll be watching and listening to him, seeing what he does in order to improve my own game. I'll keep practicing and plugging away and do that little bit extra than everyone else is doing.
TRU: With so many options available to Tony McGahan in a number of positions, where do you see yourself playing this season, and where would you like to play?
IK: Just to start for Munster would be great, but I'm not coming here to play second fiddle to anyone. I'm focused, and if I'm playing well I'll get picked - if I'm not playing well I've given the coaches an excuse not to pick me! It's up to me and how well I play.
TRU: Another new team-mate, Conor Murray, has had a pretty rapid rise over the last year. Is he someone you can use as inspiration to work to eventually get back in an Irish jersey?
IK: Yes definitely. I've played with Conor a few times, he's got a very nice pass. I won't be working with him for a while because of the World Cup but I'm absolutely delighted for him and hopefully he's the next star for Ireland in the number 9 shirt. So I can definitely use him as an inspiration for me.
TRU: Despite Conor's promising performances it hasn't been the best preparation for Ireland going in to the World Cup. How do you see the tournament going for the boys?
IK: I think they'll always be a threat at the World Cup. They've got so many quality players throughout the squad - an unbelievable back-row, the forward pack have really come on and there's some great backs. I think they've shown bits of promising rugby but they just have to put it all together into one 80 minutes. If they do that they'll be a real force to stop.
TRU: And a score prediction for Saturday [Ireland v England @ Aviva Stadium]?
IK: Ireland will win, but it'll be a tight game. England haven't played great either and it will be a dogfight. Manu Tuilagi will be a marked man and Ireland will be fired up for the win - but then so will England. It will be a really good encounter.
TRU: Back on a personal level, you had 40 minutes and scored a try on debut against La Rochelle earlier this month - hopefully a sign of things to come?
IK: Hopefully, I've started off well. I got a bit of luck to finish off that try, but I'm happy enough to score. A try on debut is always a good feeling and I scored the following week too, so two tries in two games. I'd like to keep it up tomorrow [Friday August 26] against London Irish and just take everything in my stride.
TRU: With Northampton, Scarlets and Castres in Munster's Heineken Cup group this season, how much are you looking forward to the big games at Thomond Park this season?
IK: It's why I came here really. If you're going to win the Heineken Cup you have to play the top teams eventually so we might as well have them at home early on. If you come out on top confidence will be high and grow as the season continues.
TRU: You're a Cork boy now Ian, but can you ever see yourself going back to play for Leinster in future?
IK: Not at the moment, I'm a Munster lad now. My family lives in Dublin but I've converted them into Munster fans. So I'll definitely be staying here for the time being!
Quick Questions:
Favourite rugby ground/stadium:
Ospreys ground, Liberty Stadium, is very nice, and Thomond's pretty good too.
Best player to train with:
There are a few good trainers at Munster, but Lifeimi Mafi at the moment - he keeps talking and giving me advice which is always helpful.
Best in the gym:
Fionn Carr. He loves his weights!
Best on the pitch:
I've played with a good few players growing up. Felix Jones and Keith Earls were the backbone of the under 20 team. Sean O'Brien as well - they're all quality players.
Hardest player to play against:
Jonny O'Connor - we call him Jonny O'Concrete! Alan Quinlan was also pretty tough. I remember quite a few stamps off him in my time!
Best feeling you've had on a rugby pitch:
Getting my first Irish cap against Canada, winning the Grand Slam with Ireland under 20s and winning the Schools' Cup with the lads you grow up with and see every day is special. Back then Schools' competition means everything.
Best place to tour:
The under 19s World Cup in Dubai. That was pretty cool.
Finally, your ultimate rugby ambition:
Getting back into the Irish team, hopefully then a Lions tour if things go well. I'm a pretty ambitious guy, but I don't have a set goal. My aim would be to get in the Munster team, which would hopefully lead to the Irish team, then the Lions team. I'm not going to stop until I'm up there at the top.
It's been very interesting and a great pleasure to speak to you Ian, and we at Talking Rugby Union wish you all the best for the new season with Munster and hope you realise your potential and achieve all your goals. A big thanks also goes out to Big Red Management.
