Listen to the full interview via the podcast.
If it wasn't for New Zealand's late show at the Aviva Stadium, Rob Kearney's run for the third try against the All Blacks may well have become one of those seminal moments in Irish sport.
Instead the Leinster full back and his team-mates have had to pick up the pieces of shattered hearts after the 24 - 22 defeat.
Speaking to Ger on Off The Ball, it was clear that Kearney was still getting over the loss.
"It'll be certainly one of those games that will stick with me for the rest of my career, a little like that second Lions test in South Africa. It's just one of those that a little part of you will never get over. But we have to compartmentalize it. We have no choice but to move on," he said, adding that New Zealand had enjoyed more high-intensity games leading into that clash which may have impacted on the second half.
"When you're tired, your technique alters a couple of per cent and the margins can be so tiny. If you get a bit tired and lazy in that 80th minute and their tempo is the same as the first minute, they're going to make gains," Kearney admitted.
But with a Heineken Cup double-header against Northampton Saints closing in fast, Kearney has to pick himself up.
Rob Kearney's charge for the line ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan
"It was nice having the weekend off. But last Thursday I was still in a bad place mentally and emotionally. I went out for a walk on Wednesday night and I found myself walking aimlessly for 30 minutes. I didn't know where to go and I was a little bit lost. I couldn't play a game three days later. But on Monday I had the head on and fired up systems again," said Kearney who said that Leinster have spoken about the way in which their Heineken Cup challenge was derailed by a poor December last season.
Kearney also touched on a perception that has grown about Leinster this season concerning their more defensive nature. He acknowledged that new head coach Matt O'Connor had spoken to him about that particular aspect of the team prior to taking the job.
"Our defence was very poor last year and we still managed to compete for trophies. Anyone knew coming into the system would say that if they can sort out the defence then they will be a pretty hard team to beat," said Kearney.
Ger also asked Kearney why he does not to get an opportunity to kick very often and the 27-year-old explained his relationship with his out-halves for province and country.
Main Image ©INPHO/James Crombie
