Hugo Keenan Explained

Hugo Keenan
Birth Date:18 June 1996
Birth Place:Dublin, Ireland
Height:1.850NaN0
Weight:920NaN0
School:Blackrock College
Position:Fullback, Wing
Currentclub:Leinster
Years1:2016–
Clubs1:Leinster
Apps1:63
Points1:65
Repyears1:2016
Repteam1:Ireland U20
Repcaps1:10
Reppoints1:5
Repyears2:2020–
Repteam2:Ireland
Repcaps2:39
Reppoints2:60
Clubupdate:25 February 2024
Repupdate:09 March 2024[1]
Ru Sevensnationalyears1:2017–
Ru Sevensnationalteam1:Ireland
Ru Sevensnationalcomp1:17
Ru Sevensupdate:19 December 2020

Hugo Keenan (born 18 June 1996) is an Irish professional rugby union player who plays as a fullback for United Rugby Championship club Leinster and the Ireland national team.

Early life

Keenan attended secondary school at Blackrock College. There he was a member of the team that won the 2014 Leinster Schools Senior Cup, with Keenan noted for his running and passing,[2] including scoring a try in the final.[3]

Professional career

Leinster

Keenan debuted for Leinster in 2016 against Zebre.[4]

Ireland U20 and 7s

Keenan played wing for the Ireland under-20 national rugby union team. Keenan started all matches for the Ireland under-20 team during the 2016 under-20 Six Nations. He also started all matches in the 2016 World Rugby under-20 Championship, including Ireland's historic victory over New Zealand.[5] [6]

Keenan was called into the Ireland national rugby sevens team camp in early 2017.[7] [8] Keenan was part of the Ireland sevens team during the 2017 Grand Prix Series. He scored several tries during Ireland's win at the 2017 Moscow Sevens, including a crucial try in Ireland's 28–21 semifinal win over Russia.[9]

In June 2024 Keenan was called up to the 2024 Olympics Squad.[10] [11]

Ireland

Keenan debuted for Ireland on 24 October 2020 in a Six Nations match against Italy, where he started on the wing and scored two tries in a 50–17 win.[12] Keenan then started Ireland's next 17 internationals (2020–2022), scoring tries against Georgia, Italy, USA, England and New Zealand. Keenan was recognized for his strong performance in Ireland’s win against England in the 2022 Six Nations.[13] Keenan was described in March 2022 as the heir to Rob Kearney at fullback for Ireland.[14]

Playing style

Known for his defence, aerial skills and cunning ability to pick up loose kicks and engineer attacking plays for his team, 'The Fox' is considered one of the best fullbacks in the world.

Career statistics

List of international tries

NumberPositionPointsTriesResultOppositionVenueDate
1–2Wing102WonAviva Stadium24 October 2020[15]
3Wing51WonGeorgiaAviva Stadium29 November 2020[16]
4Fullback51WonStadio Olimpico27 February 2021[17]
5Fullback51WonAviva Stadium10 July 2021[18]
6Fullback51WonTwickenham Stadium12 March 2022[19]
7Fullback51WonSky Stadium16 July 2022[20]
8Fullback51WonAviva Stadium11 February 2023[21]
9Fullback51WonStadio Olimpico25 February 2023[22]
10Fullback51WonNouveau Stade de Bordeaux9 September 2023[23]
11-12Fullback102WonStade de France7 October 2023[24]

Honours

Leinster
Ireland
Individual

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hugo Keenan . Irish Rugby . 11 September 2023.
  2. News: Cummiskey . Gavin . Blackrock College produce a blueprint performance against Newbride College . The Irish Times . 3 March 2014.
  3. Web site: Rock reign again as Clongowes denied in the Leinster Senior Cup final. The 42. 16 March 2015.
  4. Web site: Who is Hugo Keenan: Ten things you should know about the Ireland back. 12 March 2021.
  5. Web site: Fallon . John . Leinster academy's Keenan out to top U20 ever-present status with world medal . The 42. 24 June 2016.
  6. News: O'Sullivan . John . History Boys: The Irish Under-20 squad that defeated New Zealand . The Irish Times . 13 June 2016.
  7. Web site: Ireland Men's Sevens squad – Leinster Academy players Hugo Keenan, Terry Kennedy and Jack Power involved. Sports News Ireland. 17 February 2017.
  8. Web site: Ireland Men's Sevens Squad Confirmed For Lodz 7s. Irish Rugby. 8 June 2017.
  9. Web site: Cup Win Ensures Ireland Men Begin Sevens Series With A Bang. 4 June 2017.
  10. Web site: 2024-06-17 . Ireland Sevens Squads Confirmed For 2024 Paris Olympics . live . 2024-07-27 . Irish Rugby . en-US.
  11. Web site: 2024 . Ireland - Rugby Sevens Olympic Games Paris 2024 . live . 2024-08-01 . www.world.rugby.
  12. Web site: Six Nations 2020: Debutants among tries as Ireland beat Italy 50-17 to go top. 24 October 2020. BBC Sport. 27 October 2020.
  13. Web site: Three England stars join Hugo Keenan in Six Nations 'Team of the Week'. 14 March 2022 .
  14. Web site: It took a while to find Rob Kearney's heir but immense Keenan now totally at home. 14 March 2022.
  15. Web site: SUPER SCOTLAND END FRANCE'S GRAND SLAM BID . 24 October 2020 . Six Nations Rugby . Bennett . Charlie . 3 June 2023 .
  16. Web site: Burns and Keenan ensure Ireland see off Georgia . 29 November 2020 . Autumn Nations Series . 3 June 2023 .
  17. Web site: CONNORS DOUBLE HELPS IMPRESSIVE IRELAND TO BONUS-POINT TRIUMPH IN ROME . 27 February 2021 . Six Nations Rugby . Baker . Luke . 3 June 2023 .
  18. Web site: Kelleher Equals Try Record As New-Look Ireland Shine . 10 July 2021 . Irish Rugby . 3 June 2023 .
  19. Web site: CONAN AND BEALHAM SEAL THRILLING IRELAND WIN . 12 March 2022 . Six Nations Rugby . Bennett . Charlie . 3 June 2023 .
  20. Web site: New Zealand 22-32 Ireland: Sensational visitors claim remarkable 2-1 series win . 16 July 2022 . BBC . Morrow . Michael . 3 June 2023 .
  21. Web site: AWESOME IRELAND SEE OFF FRANCE IN EPIC BATTLE . 11 February 2023 . Six Nations Rugby . Eddison . Paul . 3 June 2023 .
  22. Web site: IRELAND STAY PERFECT WITH NERVY WIN OVER ITALY . 25 February 2023 . Six Nations Rugby . 3 June 2023 .
  23. Web site: No. 1 Ireland rout Romania 82-8 in Rugby World Cup opener . espnscrum . 11 September 2023.
  24. Web site: IRE 36-14 SCO: Ireland send Scotland home to set up All Blacks date in last eight . World Rugby . 20 November 2023.