Ian Keatley: Munster must seize opportunity against Connacht at Thomond Park
Although a born and bred Dub from Clontarf and a Munster player for four years, the 28-year-old spent three seasons in Galway, and learned to love the place and its people.
However, as a professional rugby player and an integral part of the current Munster set-up, Keatley fully appreciates the importance of tomorrow’s encounter which brings together first and second in the Pro12. So any sentimental allegiance he may hold towards Connacht inevitably flies out the window.
“When I was there, the aim was to become a more competitive province and get higher up the table,” he recalled. “They aspired to having a good squad with strength and depth. I think over previous years they didn’t have that but you see now that they can put out two different squads for Challenge Cup matches and they are getting stronger.
“They proved that by winning back-to-back games in the Challenge Cup with largely those two different squads. They are competing at the top level.
“They have really improved in the last couple of years in the strength and depth in their squad. The average age in their squad is around 23-24 (even though John Muldoon takes that up a bit, he laughs).”
Not having beaten Munster at Thomond Park since 1986, and with their burning ambition to maintain their status as table toppers, this is a massive game for Pat Lam’s side. They have suffered only one defeat in eight competitive outings so far; another in this game could be a serious psychological setback. But Keatley prefers to focus on Munster’s priorities.
“It is first against second and an interpro derby and we have the opportunity to go top of the table. We won against Ulster and we have our own little mini league. We want to be the top Irish team at the end of the season.”
“They have gotten a few over us up in the Sportsground and they beat us in a pre-season friendly in Thomond Park also.
“They are coming here with a lot of confidence and we know the threats they will pose.
“We are just trying to focus on our own game. If we can bring the physicality and continuity we have been bringing to games so far this season , then I think we could come away with a victory.”
Keatley agrees that the postponement of Sunday’s European game against Stade Francais was the correct call and insist it hasn’t impinged on their preparation for tomorrow.
“Obviously it is very sad what happened over in France and it is completely understandable why the game was called off. We are in a block of 16 games in a row, so in a way it is nice to get a break, but we are going to have to make up for it further down the road. We just have to take it as it comes and prepare for Connacht now.”
Although regarded for too long as a development team for the other provinces, it now seems as if Connacht are demonstrating that they are closing the gap with the best. Keatley sees things in that vein.
“Nothing has really changed since I was there, that was the goal. That was the legacy they wanted.
“It has taken them a few years to get there, but that is great for Irish rugby, it’s great for competitiveness. But I am with Munster now and my focus is to win for Munster.”
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