Andy Farrell has turned to the man who transformed Irish amateur boxing to get Ireland out of a mental rut
Gary Keegan, the man who transformed Irish amateur boxing, has been called in to help with the mental preparation of the Ireland rugby team under Andy Farrell. Farrell’s first calendar year in charge limps to a close with this Saturday’s Autumn Nations Cup playoff versus Scotland.
Farrell, whose record so far is Won 5 Lost 3, has made six changes to his XV for that third-placed match following the disgruntlement of last Sunday’s limited win over tournament minnows Georgia.
He then let slip at his post-team announcement media conference on Thursday that he has been accessing outside help recently to help to motivate his squad. Mick Kearney, the former team manager from the Declan Kidney and early Joe Schmidt era, has returned to the fold in a mentoring role but the addition of Keegan is an intriguing move.
Irish amateur boxing only had one boxer qualify for each of the Olympics in Sydney in 2000 and Athens in 2004, but Keegan’s work as performance director laid the foundations for the winning of three medals at Beijing 2008 and four at London 2012 along with multiple medals at world and European level.
Keegan is now CEO of his own company Uppercut and has been a member of the IRFU’s professional game board in recent years before becoming hands-on in recent weeks with Farrell’s charges.
Farrell alters 6?? after last Sunday's struggle with Georgia#AutumnNationsCup #IREvSCOhttps://t.co/zGnmzSzYv3
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“Gary Keegan has been with us for some weeks now doing a tremendous job,” revealed Farrell after naming an Ireland team that sees fit-again Johnny Sexton return as skipper. “Gary’s mental skills as far as helping how that translates to performance is what he is second to none at and his whole connection piece, bringing all the management and playing squad together, is a big part of his remit.
“Mick Kearney was there in previous years as a manager but he is there as a mentor for many of the players as well. It isn’t just the stress of a match week, it’s dealing with life outside rugby as well. That can be a whole build up in a different manner and Mick helps massively with that mentoring outside of rugby. With Gary and Mick we are well on our way to starting something that is going to help in the future.”
Irish rugby’s dip in fortunes post-Schmidt has not been confined to the field as their stark financial situation has seen no negotiations open yet with the 50 per cent of the Test/provincial player roster whose contracts expire at the end of the 2020/21 season.
Farrell insisted he was fully aware of the sitiation regarding all the players in Ireland. “As a head coach I know all about that and I know where everyone is individually. But honestly, the feel in the group you would never know it exists. The players have been in absolute magnificent form for a period of eight weeks.
“The drive has been second to none to learn and get better. You would never think that’s at the forefront of the mind, which is massive credit for them.
“We are dealing with that type of stuff from a mental performance preparation aspect. It’s something we are touching on constantly, that we have helped with along the way. Stress comes from people wanting to put their best foot forward when they are given an opportunity, how you deal with that.
“That is our job and the help we get from the outside to help them along with that stress. That’s international football, that’s why it is so different and that is why everyone wants to be a part of it.”
Episode 9 – Game Changers
We discuss the tense Wales vs England match from the weekend. Jamie reveals just how ruthless Shaun Edwards is! We speak to Mike Umaga on his son Jacob Umaga, and @OceansApartFilm !
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Spotify – https://t.co/JgbHP6KDdl pic.twitter.com/LF3nsAzp3c— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 2, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
Four Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
15 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
1 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to commentsConnaught man? How you can write that without blushing.
6 Go to comments