Rob Kearney pens open letter after Leinster and Ireland farewell

Rob Kearney pens open letter after Leinster and Ireland farewell

Ireland and Leinster fullback Rob Kearney has penned an emotional open letter after ending his time playing in Ireland.

The full-back won 95 Ireland caps and donned the blue of Leinster for 15 seasons, winning countless trophies.

 
 
 
 
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Legend!

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The 34-year-old also went on two British and Irish Lions Tours. 
 
 

"I have lived the dream of every five-year-old boy or girl out there that dreams of pulling on a Leinster jersey, an Ireland jersey, a Lions jersey," said Kearney.


 

Kearney was a regular for Ireland under Declan Kidney and Joe Schmidt, featuring in the Grand Slam-winning teams of 2009 and 2018 along with the historic victories over New Zealand in 2016 and 2018.


 

He departs Leinster as Ireland's most-decorated player, having won four Six Nations, four European Cups, six Pro 12/14 titles and one Challenge Cup, while he was also named the 2012 European Rugby Player of the year.

 
'I look forward to being a supporter'
 

"I consider myself very fortunate to have done the greatest thing that I could have done with my life and I have lived the dreams that I first had as a young lad in Dundalk RFC with the minis," added Kearney.

 
"The Leinster and Ireland supporters' role in this journey has been special and running out in front of full stadia is what gives the greatest buzz and we have all missed that over the last few months, and you appreciate it all the more now playing in empty arenas.

 

"I remember when we played away in Toulouse in the European quarter-final in 2006. Nobody gave us a chance but we came away with a win and played some unbelievable rugby along the way.

"It was the first time that I could sense the belief in the support as well. That trip home to Dublin and looking into the eyes of the supporters that had made the trip. Belief.

"For Ireland, the sea of green in Chicago and in Twickenham on St Patrick's Day for our Grand Slam decider are images that will be ingrained in me for life.

"The medals and what you achieve are great but they are just by-products of good culture, good people, and a relentless drive to do better. And we had that in spades in the teams I played with in Leinster and with Ireland.

"Thank you all once more and I look forward to being a supporter again, like I was as in Dundalk all those years ago."

Kearney's full open letter

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