Feature with Keith Earls

It was March 2006. St. Munchin’s College of Corbally had just won the Munster Schools Senior Cup. Despite the immense talent of the players involved, one player stood out. It was clear, even at that early stage,that Keith Earls was special. There was no doubt in my mind that he was goingto make it to the highest level. Most who had seen him play agreed. I suggested to a few friends that we place a bet that Keith would be a full international one day. They all thought it was a great idea.   We didn’t place the bet.   I caught up with Keith at the Castletroy Park Hotel. He had been based there in an Irish training camp all week. It was Fridayafternoon and he was looking forward to a weekend relaxing at home before meeting up with the squad again 3 days later, ahead of Ireland’s Autumn Internationals. I was amazed at how far he had come in the six years since hehad decided to give up soccer and gaelic football and concentrate on rugby.   “I was 16 at the time and my father said I needed to pick one sport and take it seriously. I was completelty burnt out. I was falling asleep as soon as I got home. I was just doing too much. There was no pressure from him to choose rugby, he said he would back me either way. ...