Running a start-up sports website can be a lonely business, but we knew we were onto something the day Rob Kearney blocked us on Twitter back in 2011. Kearney had (deservedly) got frustrated with some good natured trolling from Balls about his alleged use of tanning products and decided enough was enough. It took us about a year to rebuild the bridge, but early this year, Kearney unblocked us and we've had an amicable relationship ever since. Then early this week, before news of the surgery that would keep him out for 8-10 weeks broke, we were offered the opportunity to have a sit down with Rob and his bro Dave to discuss things like rugby, Fergus McFadden's stolen bike, BOD's rugby app, and Louth GAA. Rob also made a point of setting the record straight on his use of fake tan once and for all.
Balls - Why did you block us on Twitter again? I can’t really remember.
Rob Kearney- I think you said something about me wearing fake tan.
Balls – Oh right.
Rob - And you must have got me on a really bad day. So I just went right for the block button.
Balls - Ok. Were we right about the fake tan?
Rob - No. I have never wore fake tan in my life ever. Not once.
Balls – Fair enough. Let’s put that on the record. Tell us, has Fergus McFadden got his bike back yet?
Rob - No he didn’t, but that’s what happens when you don’t lock it. What do you expect?
Dave Kearney - He had it locked, but to itself.
Balls – It was robbed in Ranelagh?
Dave - Yeah, outside his own apartment block.
Rob – He was warned. We told him. We said ‘if you continue to do that, your bike’s going to get robbed. He said ‘no one’s going to steal my bike, it’s got my initials on it. ‘FMcF’.
Balls - You’re both have had a lot of injuries of late. What do you do when you’re injured?
Rob - Keep busy. DVDS, CD, Xbox, whatever you can get your hands on.
Balls - It was a long season last year, huh?
Rob - Every season’s long.
Dave - It might have been a bit longer for Rob because he had those three extra test matches, but then I again I started early in the summer. You get those four weeks off in the summer and then you get a few days off here and there, but yeah it’s a long season.
Balls - Looking back on last season. Does losing the Rabo final change your memory of what was a pretty awesome season? –
Rob - It affects the view of the whole season. Our season - from the player’s perspective – ended with losing that last game. It’s a cliché that you’re only as good as your last match or your last final, but it’s true. We were hurt really badly by that, especially because it was the third final on the trot that we’d lost. So that definitely hurt us pretty hard.
Balls - What’s the mood with Irish internationals heading into the Autumn series?
We need to get some wins under our belt. Unfortunately the New Zealand tour is going to be remembered by the last test instead of the second one. But that’s sport. We need to get a few wins under our belt. So the team is under a bit of pressure, but we know that better than anybody. Hopefully we can do that.
Balls- Did Brian O’Driscoll make you download his app?
Rob - He did.
Dave - He did.
Rob - It’s really good actually. It really up to date. So credit where credit is due. He’s done good.
Balls - Have you guys found it hard to adjust to social media and dealing with fans ‘directly’ over Twitter?
Rob - It’s a learning curve. It’s something you have to get used to. You need to be handle the rude people with care and not be rude back to them. But at the same time, it’s great to talk to new people who are genuinely interested in what you do, your sport.
Balls - It seems like teenage girls take a lot of interest in you. You probably start a boy band.
Rob - We’re quite different. I’d be very much focused on my career. Dave, he’s all about the girls.
Dave – I wish I could say that’s true.
Balls - Dave, what’s it like coming into the Leinster with your older brother already so established?
Dave - It was great when I came into the set-up. I knew what was coming and what to expect. It made me feel quite comfortable in the set-up right away. I’ve learned
Balls - Are you expecting big things from the Louth footballers next year?
Rob - We’ve got a new coach in there, don’t we?
Dave- Yeah, there’s a lot of new talent coming through there. We were unlucky there a few years ago, weren’t we, with the referee. Maybe robbed, some might say.
Balls - How's Bryan Cullen getting on with Leinster?
Rob - Yeah, he’s still involved. He’s a really good guy. Really good at his job. Great footballer. Can’t speak highly enough of Bryan.
Balls- Brilliant, lads that’s great. Thanks for your time.
Rob- No problem. The friendship is back.
Balls- Yep it’s definitely back.
We wish Rob the best in his recovery on hope to see him back for the Six Nations (if not before).
