Ian Keatley makes try-scoring debut with London Irish

FORMER Munster out-half Ian Keatley made a try-scoring debut for London Irish in their 52-22 drubbing of Coventry Rugby in the Greene King IPA Championship at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday.

The impressive Keatley scored the first of the Exiles eight tries, setting Declan Kidney’s side on their way to an impressive bonus point victory when dotting down as early as the second minute.

The playmaker also converted his own five-pointer. 

However, Keatley’s debut for ‘Irish’ lasted only 26 minutes as he was replaced due to an injury. The former Munster out-half was able to walk off the pitch to a standing ovation after picking up a knock.

Promotion-chasing London Irish remain top of the Greene King IPA Championship, nine points clear of second-placed Ealing Trailfinders, and are well-placed to make their return to the Premiership.

Thirty one-year-old Keatley has joined ‘Irish’ on a short-term deal until the end of the season, before moving to Italian side Benetton Rugby next term.

Keatley joined Munster ahead of the 2011/12 campaign and hah been an integral member of the squad over the past eight years playing a pivotal role in Munster’s successes.

The former Leinster academy player also spent three years at Connacht before his move to Munster

Having scored 1,247 points in his 180 Munster appearances, Keatley is second on the list of Munster’s all-time top points scorers, and joint-second in the current squad for appearances made in red.