Normally, the topic of a player of the hooker’s caliber suffering a succession of injuries would be a significant point of discussion. However, the emergence of Dan Sheehan into the mix has softened the impact.
So, the 25-year-old Leinster star enters this World Cup as somewhat of a sleeper. If everything goes well, he could leave France with a much larger reputation than when he arrived.
Kelleher was selected by Andy Farrell in his first game as head coach and had a streak of seven consecutive starts, which included a try-scoring performance in the Dublin victory over New Zealand. However, he injured his shoulder while playing against France in Paris last year, which opened the door for Sheehan, and he hasn’t looked back since.
Kelleher acknowledges that his competitor has gained an advantage over him, but he is determined to make up for lost time as he returns from a hamstring issue. “I’ve been training fully and I’m eager to get started now. I had a few minor injuries over the past couple of weeks, but I’m fit now and ready to go,” he said when asked if he’s playing catch-up to Sheehan.
“Yes, a little bit,” he replied. “But we know it’s an 80-minute game, and you have to do your job. There’s plenty of game time to go around. It’s about ensuring you’re prepared, whether you’re selected to start or come off the bench and finish strong. Everyone has a role to play in those 80 minutes.”
Sheehan has previously mentioned how his rivalry with Kelleher has motivated him. “There’s competition for positions, and it’s not just the two of us. There’s Rob Herring, Tom Stewart, and Diarmuid Barron as well, so there’s plenty of competition for the hooker jersey,” Kelleher stated.
“And it’s not just that, it’s throughout all positions. Look at the back row and how competitive it is, as well as the second row. It’s true for the entire team, really. I suppose particularly for us, we’re driving each other on because we’re also teammates at the provincial level. But it can only be a positive thing for Irish rugby and for the two of us, constantly driving each other on and competing for that number two jersey.”
While scrum coach John Fogarty stated that everyone is training, it is anticipated that Sheehan will not feature until Ireland plays South Africa in the third round. This opens the door for Kelleher.
“My body feels incredibly healthy, which is great. It’s rare to go into matches feeling 100% healthy. Personally, as it’s my first World Cup, I’m really looking forward to it,” he commented on the upcoming opening match against Romania.
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