Speaking this week ahead of Munster’s tough URC opener this Saturday evening when Glasgow Warriors visit Thomond Park, the 26-year-old said he has retained the same enthusiasm and positivity with which he arrived.
“I just felt at the time it was a great opportunity to come to such a talented squad,” Kilgallen recalled.
“I joined in 2024 when I came and they'd won (URC) in 23.
I just felt there's obviously the history of Munster, the pedigree that the Munster crest holds and the opportunity I felt for me to improve as a player and take that challenge.
“That kind of same energy I had coming here initially is still there.
I still feel there's so much positive in this building and in this club and this province as a whole.
The supporters, the squad, the coaching.
I just feel like there's huge opportunities for us all here.” None more so than Kilgallen, who feels he still has not properly announced himself to the Munster supporters.
“That's how I see it.
I want to win that, I suppose the love of the fans.
I want to show how much it means for me to play for Munster.
“I want them to be able to see what I'm about.
I really do have that mindset of still showing the world what I can actually do.” It has taken some hard lessons to be learned around how Kilgallen approaches training to get to the point where he can start this season in such a positive mindset.
“It was probably figuring it out how I felt.
It's listening to your body.
If you don't feel 100 per cent you actually have to listen.
“I think injuries are always going to be a frustrating aspect of any sport on the journey.
Particularly when you feel like you have a lot to offer and your body just hasn't given you the opportunity to show it.
“It is very frustrating, but I'm in a good spot now, which is good.
You see it in younger players, they just get these runs of injuries and it just seems never-ending.
Then you get a spell and....
