Leinster vs Ulster

It’s a huge
motivator for
myself and a
few others.
We want our
families to
have those
memorable
days.
looking back on his time in the shorter
format.
“It tests a lot of skills that are needed in
the 15-a-side game, and shows holes
in your game too. It helped me as a
player, and I got to experience a lot of
big crowds in international tournaments,
like in Hong Kong and the World Cup in
San Francisco.
“Jimmy O’Brien and Will Connors came
through the Sevens circuit with me, and
I’m sure more will come too.”
That career trajectory saw Keenan make
his Ireland debut in 2020, but he had to
bide his time before then with Leinster,
when his international teammates were
away with Ireland. Many Leinster
players have impressed in recent weeks,
and the full-back took his opportunities
too, when given.
“It happened to me in 2018 and 2019.
When lads go to the Six Nations,
younger lads do get a run out. We’re
lucky to have such strength in depth.
Throughout the Six Nations, plenty put
their hands up. Rob Russell, Liam Turner
and a whole range of lads played really
well and made the jersey their own.”
Leinster remained unbeaten during
the Guinness Six Nations, culminating
in a thrilling 22-22 draw against
the DHL Stormers last weekend.
The performances in that period
didn’t surprise Keenan, or any of his
teammates watching from afar.
“We’ve seen these players on the
training field for a few years. I wasn’t
surprised to see them go so well against
the Stormers. I felt they could have won,
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