THE KEARNEY BROTHERS, Rob and Dave, were a stylish starting point for the Late Late Show last night as they gave host Ryan Tubridy a revealing interview.
The Irish rugby stars, who hail from the Cooley Peninsula in Co. Louth, looked very much the dapper men about town with elder brother Rob remarking that the brothers had picked each other’s outfits.
Tubridy got straight to the nitty-gritty of Rob’s wondrous breakaway try against New Zealand while also covering the heart-breaking, and last minute, nature of Ireland’s loss. The fullback said, “I’ve never heard noise like it in a stadium, worldwide, after that try.
“By God, it was electric.”
Ireland, said Kearney, are hoping to make a “fortress” of Lansdowne Road, starting with the upcoming Six Nations. He added that Irish fans are back onside with the national team after a tough 2013 that saw them lose five Test matches.
The 2012 ERC Player of the Year spoke of his pride at standing for the national anthem, before the November Series matches, with his brother beside him. “You know your parents, your brother and sister, are up [in the stands] singing the anthem. You get a bit watery.”
After learning of the Kearney brother’s co-habiting arrangements [Rob is the cleaner, Dave the chef] and their combined love of GAA and combine harvesters, Tubridy asked the question the nation NEEDED to know: Who decided to dress up as K.I.S.S for the Leinster Christmas party?
Turns out, it was the brothers’ idea with Dave’s girlfriend on make-up duties. The other band members were Brendan Macken (left) and Brian O’Driscoll (second left). Rob joked, “I’ve never seen Brian so excited getting into a pair of latex pants.”
Finally, and before Josh Hartnett showed up, it was back to the rugby. The brothers agreed that reigning champions Wales are the favourites but declared that Ireland are ready to deliver on the potential they showed for 79 minutes and 30 seconds against the All Blacks in November.
