Michael Kiernan steps out of famous shadow to show off his skills

Ronan O’Gara may beg to differ given his rich catalogue of crucial contributions for province and country, but Michael Kiernan’s kick that clinched a rare Triple Crown in 1985 surely stands alone as the most famous drop goal in the country’s history.

It’s a moment that has appeared on our screens at regular intervals for over 30 years now and the three-pointer, struck against England at a wild and weathered Lansdowne Road, has been run time and again in the Kiernan house itself. Not by the man himself, or even his children, but when young Paul Kiernan’s buddies call over they sometimes slip the footage into the DVD player and josh with the former British and Irish Lion about a moment in time that has gone down in history.

“He just laughs it off,” said Paul, who is part of Nigel Carolan’s Ireland U20 squad this year that kicks off the Six Nations against Wales in Donnybrook on Friday. “I’ve seen it a few times, it pops up on the TV now and again as well so it is always nice to see it.”

A famous parent or sibling has always been portrayed as something of a double-edged sword — feelings of pride and happiness intermingled with a life spent under such a looming shadow — but Kiernan Jnr sees nothing in the way of negatives.

Michael Kiernan has watched his son forge his own rugby career, starting with his rookie U8 season with Cork Constitution, then ‘Pres’ and his progression through to his captaincy of UCC and the various Munster underage ranks where he plays at outside centre.

“No, it doesn’t bother me at all. I don’t feel any pressure there anyway. For me it is just about achieving my own goals and this is the next step. For a lot of us it is about pushing through to the professional stage after representing Ireland at underage. Just take each step as it comes.”

He is one of eight Munster representatives in this national squad. That marks a 100% jump from last year’s numbers and their added presence is symbolic of a season that saw the southern province claim the U20 Interprovincial championship.

This is Carolan’s second season in charge of the 20s but the squad has only four familiar faces while the focus has turned from last year’s exhilarating back line to a forward pack that has the physicality to impose itself on opponents.

There are still sprinkles of class out back. Kiernan’s Munster teammate Shane Daly is one of those expected to shine and the handful of trial games played suggested there is genuine pace out wide if the supply is forthcoming.

“We played Leinster (U20s) in Donnybrook and it was a good game. The all-weather pitch is a help as well because it benefits a bit of back play. You can spread the ball and it is a faster tempo. It is good to play behind a physical pack as well. Hopefully we will be able to get the ball running a bit.”