“They just can’t believe that Rob Kearney is there training” – Why the Rugby star’s return to GAA is huge

"I just, I get a nice, warm, fuzzy feeling when I think about this story."

A lot has been made of Rob Kearney going back to his roots and playing GAA again, after a long and successful career as a professional rugby player. This man represented his country at the highest level of his sport, and now wants to represent his community in the game that is the most community driven. Speaking on the GAA Hour, Colm Parkinson revelled in his delight about seeing such a big star lacing up his boots agains for his old club.

"Rob Kearney has gone back to his club, back to his roots, he played in a county final in 2004, he’s gone back, full forward for Cooley Kickhams he was last weekend, didn’t score. "I sent him a message on Instagram ‘I’ll be disappointed if you didn’t get at least five marks.’ Like, one of my favourite rugby players, I just think that’s fantastic to see.

"I think he’s a natural midfielder playing in the full forward line now. Like we know how high he can get up for a ball. That man nearly changed rugby, in that teams nearly refused to kick high balls because he was so bloody good in the air. "But for him to go back to his roots to GAA, I don’t know, I just, I get a nice, warm, fuzzy feeling when I think about this story." Kildare legend Johnny Doyle, was also in the show and was equally delighted with Kearney's decision to come back to his native sport.

"Yeah absolutely, but what does that tell us? It tells us we’ve a brilliant product.

"A brilliant game that lads, you know, obviously he went on and did what he wanted, but I’m sure if he sat in this chair and you interviewed him, he’ll talk about under-10 matches or minor matches or you know, the things that we all loved." Former Armagh star Aaron Kernan, also weighed in on the discussion.

"He could have went and did maybe a bit with Dublin, where I’m sure that’s still where he’s based but the fact that he went back and he’s giving something to his community but the big thing is, like we’re not too far from Crossmaglen, Rob would be on the Armagh border.

"Cooley would only be a 20/25 minutes away but the buzz is crazy. The numbers of people going to watch training, let alone people who are training with him, and I’ve spoken to a couple of younger lads who are there, who are just out of minor, who are playing with Cooley like, and they just can’t believe that Rob Kearney is there training." You can listen to the full discussion on the GAA Hour now.