'Reaching 50 caps for Ireland means the world to me' - Limerick prop Dave Kilcoyne

LIMERICK prop Dave Kilcoyne said the top class performance scrum-half Conor Murray turned in during Ireland's thrilling Six Nations win over France at the Aviva Stadium said a huge amount about the Patrickswell man's character.

Kilcoyne, who celebrated his own milestone in Saturday's bonus point success when winning his 50th cap, said Murray had shown remarkable resilience to play as well as he did after his father Gerry suffered serious injuries in a road traffic collision near his home while out cycling on Tuesday last.

Dave Kilcoyne said: “Me and Conor grew up together through the academy, sub-academy, lived together, kind of broke through the same era with Munster.

“He’d be one of my best friends and it just shows the resilience in the man to play the way he did in the circumstances that he has going on in his personal life. You wouldn’t wish it on anyone. But he came in and he was just himself. Faz (Andy Farrell) addressed it after the win just how impressed he was with his character you know.

“It really tests someone’s character to be able to play in an international game like that at that capacity and to play like that when he has such a tough home situation going on. I think full credit to Conor Murray.

“He probably hasn’t been getting the rub of the green in terms of selection down below, rugby’s peaks and troughs. I thought he played excellent last week as well against Wales. I was delighted for Conor and a credit to his character.”

Thirty four-year-old UL-Bohemian clubman Kilcoyne said reaching 50 caps 'meant the world to him'.

“You grow up as the old cliché everyone wants to play for Ireland. All my family were there today in the audience. And it really does mean the world to me. Faz put on a little presentation for me, Ports (Andrew Porter) and James Ryan during the week and you know they just talked about how special it is to get 50 caps.

“I think Pete (O'Mahony) was telling me during the week he heard I think only 6 per cent of players who get capped for Ireland end up going on to get 50 caps. They call out a list of maybe 10 props that have actually ever did it over time. So, it’s a hard thing to do.”