Kearney relieved as Irish turn the corner in Croker cracker

LAST Saturday’s stirring Six Nations win over France, a first in eight meetings, didn’t just represent a change-point in Ireland’s recent international rugby fortunes — it also represented a welcome turnaround for full-back Rob Kearney.

The former underage Louth gaelic football star has made a major impression since his introduction to the big scene a couple of seasons ago, was already being touted as a possible Lions test full-back for this summer’s tour to South Africa; despite his own individual brilliance, however, results hadn’t been going his way.

Of his 11 tests played up to last Saturday, a stuttering Ireland had lost more than they’d won — “Something like a 38% win record — not too good,” he reckons.