Keatley has some tough competition

Ian Keatley is fast proving there’s life in Munster after Ronan O’Gara’s departure to Racing Metro.

Keatley was named man of the match following Saturday’s RaboDirect Pro12 victory over Edinburgh, a call endorsed by Rob Penney. The coach already stated he sees Keatley as O’Gara’s natural successor but is not ruling out challengers JJ Hanrahan and Jonny Holland.

“At the moment I’ve got the nod, but JJ has scored three tries in three matches,” said Keatley.

“He is doing very well and so is Jonny Holland while learning from myself and JJ so it’s going to be great competition throughout the year. JJ is going to get chances, Jonny is going to get chances and I’m going to get chances. It’s up to us to take them.”

Pleased with the opening 34-23 win, he is aware they are under pressure to show more consistency this campaign.

“Last season our Pro12 got a bit away from us but that’s our bread and butter. We should be winning week-in, week-out in that competition and we’re really going to focus on that this year. With the Heineken Cup and the Thomond Park factor we get up for those matches so it’s what we do week-in, week-out and setting our targets for the Pro12 each week. We have to win those games.”

Munster still have to play Edinburgh three times, twice in the Heineken Cup, and Keatley said their resolve in the last quarter proved they would be no pushovers.

“Yeah they’re a good team. We played them four times last year as well and they were very competitive in those four matches. Sometimes when you get five tries, and we got them early in the second half, you take the foot off the pedal but credit to Edinburgh they stuck with it. I think we can work on a few things.”