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GILROY STILL EAGER TO LEARN
CRAIG GILROY
The 25-year-old scored 11 tries last year to finish
as second top try-scorer in the competition after
Rhys Webb, while he has crossed eight times
during the current campaign to leave him just one
behind Connacht’s Matt Healy. His performance
in the win over Zebre a fortnight ago further
outlined his game-breaking ability.
Gilroy’s electric feet and ability to cross the
whitewash have made him a huge fans’ favourite
at Kingspan Stadium, but the six-cap Ireland
international is well aware that he must continue to
make strides in his game.
“I feel like I’m always learning and always getting
better,” claims Gilroy. “I thoroughly enjoyed last
season and I’ve had a good run this year too.
It’s very small margins between being good
and being great and so
it’s those one percenters
that I’ve learned to work on
and harness. That could
be doing extra work after a
pitch session, doing proper
recovery, correct diet, things
like that, and on top of that
having a good mentality.”
Gilroy reckons that exposure
to big games has also helped
to develop his game: “When
you’re a bit younger and you’re
exposed to those massive
games and the big crowds, it
can maybe put you off a little
bit or distract you. Now that
I’ve played in a lot of big games, it’s less daunting
so I can go in more relaxed and I try thrive off it
and use it to my advantage.”
With competition for places in the backline already
fierce, Gilroy expects the arrival of Charles Piutau
next season to ramp that up even further. “No
one can get comfortable; the depth we have is
crazy. We have a lot of people back from injury
now and you look at the guys that we’re getting
in next year and it’s exciting. Although there is a
lot of camaraderie and close relationships within
the squad, it can be quite competitive as well and
I suppose it’s the individual’s job to do the best
they can for the team.”
Certainly Gilroy and his backline colleagues did
just that last time out, with some free-flowing
rugby delivering a 47-17 bonus point win in Parma.
That game was indicative of how Les Kiss and the
coaching staff want to play, and Gilroy says the
fine weather allowed the players to showcase the
hard work put in perfecting backline moves and
structures:
“It was a good weekend. We had a lot of support
over there and the conditions were good. We got
to throw the ball about a bit and for us backs it
was nice to run in a lot of tries. We do put a lot
of work into the specifics of our moves and our
game plan and it’s not every game that you get
the chance to run them so smoothly, so it was
very rewarding.”
The squad then had a two-
week lead in time to this
afternoon’s game, something
which Gilroy says will benefit
both teams . “It’s one of
the toughest fixtures of the
year so it helps having that
extra time to prepare. We’ve
had a big couple of weeks
in training, but we’ll need it
because they’ll be coming to
do a job on us. I remember
this fixture last year - we beat
them - so they are probably
still hurting from that. But a lot
has changed from then so I’m
not sure it will have much of a
bearing on the game.”
Despite a disappointing European Champions
Cup campaign, Gilroy insists that Leinster
continues to be one of the best teams on the
continent. “In my eyes they are still a very
dangerous side and I think they have maintained
their reputation as one of the best in Europe.
Although they’ve had a few ups and downs
this season, they are still top of the league and
they are there for a reason. It will be a massive
challenge for us and it’s at that point of the season
now when there’s two regular season games left
and you need every point you can get.”
It promises to be eventful!
Ulster flyer Craig Gilroy has stated his desire to push his game on to
another level after enjoying a fine couple of seasons in the Guinness
PRO12.