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Kevin started playing rugby in first year in Sandford Park when Gaelic football was his 'main sport'. He admits that he wasn't too interested in rugby at the time. I asked him what drew him to Terenure College RFC after Sandford Park 'I knew a few of the under 20’s from playing gaelic with them and by the time I left secondary school I was very keen on playing rugby. I also live in Terenure, which is another main reason' Word has it that one day he arrived through the gates, got stuck in, and the rest they say is history. He settled in quick well, quite quickly. 'At the start I knew very few in the club, but people kept coming up to me and introducing themselves. I felt very welcomed when I first arrived and I found this helped me with improving my game on the pitch.' Terenure College RFC is one of the biggest clubs in Dublin, if not Ireland, fielding 7 teams on a weekly basis and thats only at adult level. As you can imagine with such a big club there is always a buzz around, so what is life like in Lakelands? 'Life is great with Terenure College RFC now. I’ve made a huge number of new friends. The banter is marvellous up there after matches and on other club occasions. People are very helpful to one another. I even got a summer job from a club member after my second season'. Of course with such a big club, comes big facilities. Did this sway Kevin's decision to join? 'I wasn’t fully aware of the facilities when I first arrived so I can’t say it did. The facilities are great and it gives each player the best opportunity in improving their game. Rugby is all about training and preparation. You can’t play a meaningful role on any team without a high degree of fitness. Fall short in this vital component and you let your hard-working teammates down. Having training facilities of excellence provides you with the proper motivation, and eliminates any excuse you might be dreaming up.' Terenure were promoted to Division 1 last year after a hugely successful season. Kevin was a member of the U20 squad during this season under Paul Haycock. This year is a different story, AIL rugby and the senior XV - so how has it gone? 'I have really enjoyed this season. Its’ my first season since finishing with underage rugby, and I don’t think it could have gone much better. Playing at such a high level of rugby is great and I’ve loved every minute of it' Back to October and AIB Match Day 1. Venue: Thomond Park, a nice place to make your debut.' My first AIB league game was in of all places, Thomond Park against UL Bohs. That was a shock to the system. Just walking out onto that pitch that I had seen so much of on TV was a privilege. I don’t think there could be a better place to start your first game in AIB League. I was a bag of nerves before the game. It was a great experience. We never really got going in that game and UL Bohs ended up running away with it.' Since that game he has regularly found himself onthe 1st XV a welcome bit of pressure. 'Yes I do find it puts pressure on me. I think you need pressure on you to perform. I feel you are only one bad performance away from not starting the next game. There is good competition for places, so that always keeps the pressure on you. ' This pressure has led Kevin to be one of the most consistent performers week in week out according to the Terraces 'That’s a very flattering comment to hear. They must not have been up in Ballymena earlier on this season. There has been a good few players that have a great season to date. Al Dunlop, Conor Connolly and John Bollard would just be three of them. I’m delighted just playing in the same team as these.'
There is only one weekend of AIB League left this season. This season was a lot different for Kevin with 1st XV rugby rather than the normal U20 Sunday game. 'The games are always on Saturdays, which I like. I have a busy timetable in college from Monday to Friday, so it isn’t really till after college on Friday that I start focusing on the game. I find a good nights sleep is hugely important and I drink lots of water leading up to a game. I try not to think about the pressure that’s on me before a game. I tend to just concentrate on what my roll is on the pitch and how I’m going to achieve it.' With so many experienced guys on the 1st XV like James Blaney, Steve Nolan and Al Dunlop to help him along and keep him on his toes, things are made a bit easier.'They have been great to me all season, especially when it comes to taking money from me on away trips. No, they’re great to train and play with. They are very experienced and I’m always learning new things from them. They keep me on my toes.' Behind every great player there's a great team and a great coach. Terenure are blessed with Kevin West and the job he continues to do in Lakelands, a great help to Kevin aswell 'Yeah Westy is great coach, all our training’s and pre match warm ups are all pre planned so that we are prepared for what we will expect from the opposition and how we can beat them. His tactics generally always work. He is without doubt the best coach I have played under.' Westy was behind the setup of the club academy for younger players. The academy was launched in October 2006 and thise players selected are given specialist training and input over three years to enhance their physical and rugby development. They are involved in 5-6 sessions per week. Kevin was one of the first members ' It has given me a clear understanding of fitness training, along with diet, scientific preparation and indeed sport psychology. Attending the academy has been a great source of discipline for me in a very busy year. With college and club commitments, I was delighted with my progress in the academy. I have been very lucky indeed. To have this type of facility for a twenty-year-old is fantastic preparation for a successful rugby career. I think the academy is great. It has benefited me greatly. Derm Blaney has been very helpful to us all year and its very much appreciated.' The season is coming to an end but there is one more game. April 21st, St Mary's - family rivalry, years of history, friendship, how does he feel? 'I can’t wait for this game. As a squad we have tried not to think much about this game until we have the others out of the way. It’s going to be a great occasion for the club and of course all of our supporters. As I didn’t go to the school and I am only a member just over two years I have only been told about the huge rivalry between the two clubs and have not experienced it fully myself. This game will decide who will finish higher in the table and who will have the bragging rights for another year. I hear a huge crowd is expected. It’s just going to be a great day for everyone involved. There will not be much need for psyching ourselves up for this one. We all know what it means to people and especially after letting ourselves down against Cork Con we will be up for it more then ever to finish the season with a bang. ' We'll be hoping that its a big bang on this side of Fortfield Road and hope to see a big crowd in Lakelands. And what about Terenure College RFC and the future? 'There are a lot of things I enjoy about Terenure College RFC. The friendliness of everyone, the willingness to go out of your way to help someone. It’s like a closely-knit family. The after game sessions up in the clubhouse cannot be forgotten, the banter can be fantastic I am really looking forward to the future with Terenure College RFC. It is looking very promising. We really have a very good young squad of players, there is a lot of belief that we will yet be amongst the best in the league and really challenge for the league in the next few seasons and why not? It has to be everyone’s ambition to captain the side they play in and I’m no different.' Maybe President some day? 'As for club president I don’t think Declan has to worry about me just yet, but who knows what the future holds for me with Terenure. All I know is there is a bright future for Terenure College RFC.' In interview with Dan Wallace Interested in playing rugby - contact Terenure College RFC today here
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