Keane On Sevens? It’s As Easy As 1-2-3
This Saturday David Keane will become the most-capped Sevens referee in the world when he takes charge of his 123rd game on the IRB Sevens World Series circuit.
David Keane is currently tied on 122 games with Japan’s Taizo Hirabayashi but when he takes charge of New Zealand v Kenya on Saturday morning he will set a new record.
He will extend that record even further at the HSBC Sevens World Series tournament in London when he referees two more games on the opening day.
Keane, an IRFU Referee Development Officer, has been a regular on the IRB Sevens circuit since making his debut in Dubai in 2006 as the man in the middle for the New Zealand v South Africa tie.
He has refereed four finals in the IRB Sevens World Series to date – Dubai, George, London and Adelaide.
Former international referee and head of the IRFU Referee Department, Owen Doyle, welcomed the achievement:
“David is one of the most respected Sevens referees in world rugby. It was an outstanding achievement to reach 100 games last year and now he goes one step further setting a new record,” he said.
“Equaling and now supassing Taizo’s record is superb and David goes from strength to strength on the World Sevens circuit.”
Keane played rugby up until the age of 17 when an injury ended his playing career. Wanting to continue his involvement with the game, he took up refereeing at his school, Clongowes Wood.
He continued his development in Old Belvedere and with encouragement from Doyle and under the auspices of Ollie Campbell, he spent time in Australia training with international referees Wayne Erickson, Peter Marshall and Stuart Dickinson.
Related Links –
Clancy To Referee Rugby World Cup Opener
Lewis To Retire From Refereeing
Interested In Becoming An IRFU Referee?