Irish performance coach Gary Keegan joins Farrell's Lions
Keegan has been an influential figure in the Ireland set-up in recent years, working with the Irish players on their mental skills and combining with Farrell to set the tone among the squad for each campaign.
Keegan – who made his name in Irish Olympic boxing and with the Dublin football team – began working with Ireland part-time in 2020 and joined Farrell's staff permanently in 2022.
Ireland's players have raved about his influence on the group, while Keegan has become a trusted right-hand man for Farrell.
As such, it is no surprise that Farrell has brought Keegan into the Lions set-up for the upcoming tour to Australia. Keegan will be the Lions' performance coach, carrying out the same role as he does with Ireland.
Advertisement
Keegan is one of many Irish staff joining Farrell for the trip Down Under.
Four of Farrell's Ireland assistant coaches – Simon Easterby, John Fogarty, Johnny Sexton, and Andrew Goodman – are going on the Lions tour, while a group of Irish backroom staff are also travelling.
Vinny Hammond, Ireland's head of innovation and analytics, is the Lions' head of analysis for this tour, while head of athletic performance Aled Walters is also travelling with the Lions. Former IRFU performance director David Nucifora is the general manager of performance for the tourists.
Farrell's Lions have also brought in Irish medical, communications, and logistics staff for the tour to Australia, while Andy Farrell's playing squad includes 16 Irish players.
Paul O'Connell is the only Ireland assistant coach remaining with the national team squad for their tour to Georgia and Portugal.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
3 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Jamie Osborne and Thomas Clarkson set to experience the joy of becoming a Lion
The British & Irish Lions go into their final midweek match of this 2025 tour against the First Nations & Pasifika XV with two different narratives around team selection. First, the joy of becoming a Lion for the likes of Jamie Osborne and Thomas Clarkson, two young Irishmen among a group of five debutants handed the opportunity of a rugby-playing lifetime to join a select group of players representing the best of English, Irish, Scottish and Welsh rugby, if only for one game. Secondly, an opportunity of a different kind, for Josh van der Flier and Jac Morgan, Blair Kinghorn and Garry Ringrose and others besides to stake their claim for Test selection against Australia this Saturday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. They will offer contrasting motivations at Marvel Stadium on Tuesday but head coach Andy Farrell will demand that this team of Test hopefuls and first timers will be synchronised enough to keep the Lions' momentum rolling from last Saturday's Brisbane victory over the Wallabies into this weekend's potential Test decider for the tourists. Naturally enough, the battle for insertion into a winning Test 23 will occupy coaches' minds most ahead of their final selection meeting on Wednesday night here in Melbourne but that did not stop assistant coach Simon Easterby waxing lyrical about the opportunity this midweek game presents to Clarkson, 25, and Osborne, 24. 'It goes without saying, the quality of those two individuals,' Easterby said. Jamie Osborne during a training session. Pic: ©INPHO/Billy Stickland. 'Tom's fought through a pretty tough position at Leinster, never mind in the Irish squad, and he's put in some brilliant performances. 'He really has stood up and bringing them on the 'Emerging Ireland' tour. He was certainly someone that we felt could step up over the next couple of years, but he's been excellent. 'He's fought for everything and in a pretty tough position where being a tighthead probably takes a good few years to learn your trade, he's certainly in a really good place. 'Jamie has had a brilliant couple of years. The performance he had in South Africa last summer, his performance for Leinster playing 12, 13, wing, 15, it was pretty impressive, the positions he can cover and the quality that he brings to the group as well. 'I'm really pleased with the two of them. They fully deserve being here and no doubt they'll perform really well tomorrow.' Ten days on from a blowout win against a scratch AUSNZ Invitational XV that failed to live up collectively that their teamsheet suggested of the individuals concerned, this First Nations & Pasifika XV will at least have a purpose and identity as the first side of its kind selected from Samoan, Fijian, Tongan, Māori and Indigenous Australian cultures. Their head coach Toutai Kefu, won 60 caps for the Wallabies and has named a matchday squad of 17 players with Pasifika heritage and six indigenous First Nations players included. Even so, they will find it tough going against a hardened Lions side bristling with intent and ambition for Test recognition this Saturday but Easterby gave Kefu's side the respect they deserve. 'You look at the teamsheet and they have some incredible individuals. They'll try to make a mark. 'Some of them have played against the Lions on this trip already, some of them won't, and that is probably is something those players will feel they want to lay down a bit of a marker and bring their own skillset and individuality to their game. It's certainly an impressive outfit when you look at it on paper. 'I guess our challenge, as it always is, is to be as connected as we can be in terms of the way we play, in terms of the guys who aren't involved to prepare the team that plays tomorrow. Everyone's been chipping in and been part of that. 'It's an exciting team, but certainly an exciting challenge and opportunity for our guys to go out and stake a claim for the next couple of weeks.' FIRST NATIONS & PASIFIKA XV (Cultural heritage in brackets): Andy Muirhead (First Nations); Triston Reilly (First Nations), Lalakai Foketi (Māori & Tonga), David Feliuai (Samoa), Filipo Daugunu (Fiji); Kurtley Beale (First Nations) – captain; Kalani Thomas (Māori); Lington Ieli (Fiji), Brandon Paenga-Amosa (Samoa & Māori), Taniela Tupou (Tonga); Darcy Swain (Samoa), Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Samoa); Sere Uru (Fiji), Charlie Gamble (Tonga), Tuaina Taii Tualima (Samoa). Replacements: Richie Asiata (Samoa), Marley Pearce (Māori & First Nations), Mesake Doge (Fiji), Mesake Vocevoce (Fiji), Rob Leota (Samoa), Harrison Goddard (First Nations), Jack Debreczeni (Cook Island), Jarrah McLeod (First Nations). BRITISH & IRISH LIONS: B Kinghorn (Scotland); D Graham (Scotland), J Osborne (Ireland), O Farrell (England) – captain, D van der Merwe (Scotland); F Smith (England), B White (Scotland); P Schoeman (Scotland), J George (England), F Bealham (Ireland); J Ryan (Ireland), S Cummings (Scotland); J Morgan (Wales), J van der Flier (Ireland), H Pollock (England). Replacements: E Ashman (Scotland), R Sutherland (Scotland), T Clarkson (Ireland), G Brown (Scotland), B Earl (England), A Mitchell (England), M Smith (England), G Ringrose (Ireland). Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia).
The 42
7 hours ago
- The 42
The call Jamie Osborne got from Andy Farrell in a Lisbon taxi
JAMIE OSBORNE WAS in a taxi in Lisbon at 11am two Thursdays ago when his phone buzzed. He saw Andy Farrell's name and immediately thought, 'This is probably good.' Also in the taxi with Osborne were Craig Casey, Cian Prendergast, Jack Crowley, and Darragh Murray. This quintet of Ireland internationals were on the way to the barbers for their pre-Portugal Test haircuts. The call came out of the blue. Farrell hadn't been onto Osborne before that to let him know something might be in the works. So the good news of his Lions call-up came as a surprise. 'The lads were probably celebrating more than myself,' said Osborne today in Melbourne as he recalled the scene in that Lisbon taxi. 'I think every player dreams of it. I probably didn't have much hopes for it after the initial squad announcement. I wasn't really thinking about it but it was amazing to get the call. 'I rang my mum straight away and she was delighted.' His parents had already booked a family holiday with Jamie's younger brothers, so they'll be watching on from Spain tomorrow as he makes his Lions debut at outside centre against the First Nations & Pasikifa XV in Melbourne [KO 11am Irish time, Sky Sports]. After the call from Farrell, Osborne had time to get back to Ireland camp, celebrate with the rest of his team-mates, and then he flew out to Australia the following day. Osborne arrived ahead of the first Test. Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO There were nerves arriving into Lions camp in Brisbane but the familiarity of so many faces from Ireland helped Osborne to settle in quickly. He has been rooming with Josh van der Flier – 'nice and chilled, doesn't snore, neat and tidy' – so all has been well off the pitch. Advertisement There is also lots of overlap between how Ireland play and how the Lions have set up, so even though there were different calls for Osborne to learn in Australia, he was able to hit the ground running on the pitch too. Osborne was one of the Lions' extra players for the first Test in Brisbane last weekend, doing the warm-up with Farrell's side and drinking in the atmosphere at Suncorp Stadium. Tomorrow, he dons the Lions jersey himself for the first time and is excited to be playing alongside skipper Owen Farrell in midfield. 'It's really cool,' said Osborne. 'You can see the leadership he brings around camp and the way he speaks, it's very impressive. When he speaks, everyone listens so hopefully it's going to be a good tomorrow night playing alongside him.' One of Osborne's friends from home, Mark Gorman, is living in Melbourne and they're hoping to catch up. They played together in Naas RFC when they were younger. There's huge pride in Naas about the latest leap in Osborne's impressive rise and he has had plenty of messages from home congratulating him and wishing him well. 'I don't know if I'm flying the flag,' said Osborne when it was suggested that he is now an inspiration for other young youths players. 'Tadhg [Furlong] has done that before me and I probably would have looked up to him and even Sean O'Brien. 'Hopefully, there's more people coming up through that system because there's definitely a lot of potential there.' Osborne will start at outside centre tomorrow. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO This Lions experience is the culmination of an interesting season for Osborne. Last summer, he started two Tests for Ireland at fullback against the Springboks and looked set to have a massive 2024/25 season. He has had an excellent campaign, featuring for Ireland in the November Tests and making two starts during this year's Six Nations, but he has also had to deal with being left out of Leinster's matchday 23 for their Champions Cup quarter-final and semi-final. The arrival of Jordie Barrett meant Osborne got squeezed out on those two occasions. Knowing that might be the case, he found Barrett signing for Leinster both exciting and an inconvenience. 'Definitely a bit of both,' said Osborne. 'There's a lot of competition with the Irish lads, and there's enough competition there that you're used to being around good players. You have to learn from them and you have to compete with them. There's no real choice. 'I really enjoy it. Jordie was obviously unbelievable to have in Leinster last year. He played so well in every game. Then you see what he did at the weekend when he came on for New Zealand. It's definitely important to learn from him. 'It was frustrating not to play in those Champions Cup games, but the campaign as a whole, I was happy with how it ended. I haven't really reflected too hard on it, but the general feeling is happy enough.' Rieko Ioane will come in next season to offer more competition in the outside backs, but Osborne is determined to enjoy this Lions adventure now. FIRST NATIONS & PASIFIKA XV: Andy Muirhead; Triston Reilly, Lalakai Foketi, David Feliuai, Filipo Daugunu; Kurtley Beale, Kalani Thomas; Lington Ieli, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Taniela Tupou; Darcy Swain, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto; Seru Uru, Charlie Gamble, Tuaina Taii Tualima. Replacements: Richie Asiata, Marley Pearce, Mesake Doge, Mesake Vocevoce, Rob Leota, Harrison Goddard, Jack Debreczeni, Jarrah McLeod. LIONS: Blair Kinghorn; Darcy Graham, Jamie Osborne, Owen Farrell (captain), Duhan van der Merwe; Fin Smith, Ben White; Pierre Schoeman, Jamie George, Finlay Bealham; James Ryan, Scott Cummings; Jac Morgan, Josh van der Flier, Henry Pollock. Replacements: Ewan Ashman, Rory Sutherland, Tom Clarkson, Gregor Brown, Ben Earl, Alex Mitchell, Marcus Smith, Garry Ringrose Referee: Nika Amashukeli [GRU].
The Journal
7 hours ago
- The Journal
Tennis events raise over €165,000 for cancer care - and they're looking for more clubs to join
TENNIS TOURNAMENTS AND events held across Ireland have raised over €165,000 for cancer care, support, and research so far this year. Tennis4Cancer (T4C) is a fundraising initiative launched by tennis coach Grace Owens. Its aim is to rally the tennis community across Ireland to support two cancer charities: ARC Cancer Support Centres and the National Breast Cancer Research Institute. The amount raised will be evenly split between both charities. Since 2019, local tennis clubs from all over the country have raised funds by organising a range of different activities from coffee mornings to grand slam tournaments. T4C was established after a number of people in the tennis community had been affected by cancer. Over 40 clubs are now involved. Owens is appealing for more tennis clubs across the country to become involved with the fundraising. Clubs across Ireland have hosted 'a variety of events' to support the initiate, and more are expected to join in before the end of the year. Advertisement The Tennis4Cancer campaign is officially supported by Tennis Ireland and Tennis Coach Ireland. Conor Niland, former Irish No.1 and ex-ATP Tour professional, is the patron of the campaign. Owens said that she is 'delighted' at the response to the campaign and the funds already raised. 'In April, we held our 'Tennis4Cancer Weekender', which got our fundraising year off to a great start. 'Over 40 Tennis Clubs from all over the country have come together since then to host a variety of fun fundraising tennis events. 'It's great to see the tennis community coming together to support these two great cancer charities, Arc and NBCRI, and I would love to have lots more clubs involved between now and the end of the year,' she said. ARC Cancer Support Centres offer free professional support services, including counselling and complementary therapies, to adults and children affected by cancer and to their loved ones. The National Breast Cancer Research Institute funds groundbreaking breast cancer research based at the Lambe Institute, University of Galway. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
