Back 
1
The inspiring Ian McKinley is back in rugby, taking up a coaching position in his native Ireland
By Liam Heagney
Fomer Italy international Ian McKinley is back in the game in Ireland, coaching at Ulster schools level in Ballymena after calling time on his remarkable playing career where he achieved Test level honours despite initially retiring in 2011 following the loss of sight in an eye.
ADVERTISEMENT
Now 30, the Dubliner was just a half-dozen games into his career at Leinster when the stud of a teammate perforated his left eye during an All-Ireland League club game for UCD. That appeared to be the end of his rugby days.
However, after moving to Italy to clear his head and dabble in some underage coaching, he gave playing at junior level in 2014 a go using specially manufactured goggles for protection.
That success sparked a hunger in McKinley to see how far up the ladder he could go and his inspiring journey culminated in professional deals with Guinness PRO14 clubs Zebre and Benetton, along with Test level honours with Italy.
Having made an Italian debut in November 2017 against Fiji, he went on to earn a total of nine caps and somewhat fittingly his last international appearance came against Ireland in August 2019 back in his native Dublin.
Delighted to be on board with @ballymenaacadem for the upcoming season??#ballymena #academy #schoolsrugby #ulster https://t.co/4Kf1Z73hcy
— Ian McKinley (@ianmck7) August 28, 2020
He saw out the 2019/20 season in Treviso but with appearances becoming less frequent following the signing of fellow Irishman Ian Keatley from Munster, lockdown resulted in the parting of ways and McKinley’s return to Ireland following an epic adventure in Italy.
ADVERTISEMENT
Ballymena Academy, a grammar school catering for 1,200 11- to 18-year-olds, have tweeted their recruitment of the former out-half. “We are delighted to welcome former Italian international rugby player Ian McKinley to the coaching team at Ballymena Academy for the incoming season. Benvenuto a Ballymena Academy!”
McKinley soon responded, posting: “Delighted to be on board for the upcoming season.” RugbyPass told the McKinley story in December 2018 as part of its exceptional stories series.
My new show called “The Lockdown” on @RugbyPass
My first guest is @BenettonRugby and @azzurri player @ianmck7
Living through this in Italy (my thoughts are with everyone there)Full show is here ?https://t.co/bBuHBQYJf0 pic.twitter.com/ID7cwlKdlC
— Jim Hamilton (@jimhamilton4) March 20, 2020
ADVERTISEMENT
Comments
Join free and tell us what you really think!
Join Free
Latest Comments
What a great read. Players mature at different stages and words that may inspire some are far too cutting for others. Good coaches are so important to the career of young players. The ability to get into a player's head is a gift. But in the wrong hands this can be a disaster. There is so much emotional stuff going on with young players that it takes a really good coach to bring the best from them and inspire them to be the best they can be playing rugby and importantly the best person they can be as a person.
Go to commentsInteresting read Nick, thanks. Is it a reality check for incomings and outgoings for the English clubs over money? a market correction? This is always a strange thing when it comes to what is still fundamentally recreation, a leisure pursuit. You could have the two divisions but the 2nd division will lose interest for the top flight of players. Maybe a random draw to create two pools that would lead to a play-off system? Have not thought it through but throwing it out there.
Go to comments