Rob Kearney named Player of the Year – Rugby News Update
Rob Kearney, the 26-year-old Leinster and Ireland fullback, who is equally comfortable on the wing has been named ERC European Player of the Year, the highest individual accolade a player can receive in the northern hemisphere.
He was one of the five shortlisted candidates, who included players from both European competitions, the Heineken Cup and the Amlin Challenge Cup. The full list, besides Kearney was - Stephen Ferris (Ulster Rugby), Rob Ruan Pienaar (Ulster Rugby), Jonathan
Sexton (Leinster Rugby), and Jonny Wilkinson (RC Toulon).
Kearney received the award from Derek McGrath, the ERC chief executive. He congratulated Kearney on his achievement, as he started all of Leinster’s nine European matches, and scored six tries in the competitions, which included two tries against the Cardiff
Blues in the quarter-final. He led Leinster to their third Heineken Cup triumph in four years.
McGrath said, "Rob was both rock-solid in defence and inspirational in attack during what was another magnificent Heineken Cup campaign for our 2012 champions. He scored six tries, ran powerfully, kicked superbly and the sheer all-round quality of his performances
made him an excellent choice as ERC European Player of the Year 2012."
The player was naturally ecstatic at receiving the prize, especially after he played an important role in his team’s back-to-back title. Upon receiving the award, he said, "It really is an honour to have won this award,” and he further added, "While I am
delighted with the recognition, an individual player is powerless without the support of his teammates. So I owe this to the Leinster squad, to the management and to all the backroom staff at the club."
The panel which declared him the Player of the Year included Stuart Barnes (Sky Sports), Raphael Ibanez (2011/12 Heineken Cup Ambassador), Stephen Jones (Rugby Correspondent, The Sunday Times), Emmanuel Massicard (Editor, Midi Olympique) and Gerry Thornley
(Rugby Correspondent, The Irish Times).
Kearney started his club career with Leinster in a match against Ospreys in 2005. His all round performances earned him his international cap against Argentina at Buenos Aires, on June 2, 2007. So far he has featured for Ireland 38 times, and has made three
appearances for the British and Irish Lions.
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