Mullins not giving up on Ireland place

THE sight of Mike Mullins scything through a midfield gap, precisely timed and at searing pace, reminds you that age is not a barrier to success.

That was last week, Thomond Park, a crucial Heineken Cup match. The victims were Gloucester, the beneficiaries Munster and, dare one say it, maybe Mullins himself.

At an age when most professional rugby players might be thinking of hanging up their boots, nothing is further from the mind of this Irish/Kiwi/Maori player.

He describes himself as 33 years young and before you can ask, tells you he will play on until at least 35, maybe even a couple of years longer.

He is not ashamed of where he stands in the circle of life. Indeed he suggests the use of a new photograph to accompany any article because “the old ones look a bit dated”.

Last Saturday, as in previous weeks for Munster, Mullins did his level best to send a coded message to national coach Eddie O’Sullivan.

He won the first of 16 Irish caps against Argentina in 1999 and the last against Manu Samoa last year. The thing is, he wants more and refuses to believe he is too old.

“I like to keep everything in perspective but of course I’d like to play for Ireland again. I love the Munster scene, but I’m a professional player and playing for your country is the ultimate for anyone. I don’t believe in ever saying never.”

Mention of country begs the question of background. Mullins is quick to point out that his father Thomas is from Limerick and that his extended family is around him in his adopted city.

He also makes it clear that he’s here for the long haul. “Yes, we’ve settled down in Ireland now and that’s where we want to stay. When it’s over, I hope to go into coaching but definitely stay involved in rugby.”

Part of the reason is that wife Francine, daughter Cherelle and Irish- born son Kalib Ronan (after Ronan O’Gara) have taken to Irish life like the proverbial ducks to water.

“Everyone loves it here and I couldn’t tear them away even if I wanted to.”

He has already embarked on a coaching career with Old Crescent. “At the moment, my role is a bit

restricted because of other duties but I would like to move further into it when I do call it a day. We’ll see, but I’ll have to do something because the bills will still have to be paid.”

While he awaits developments on the national front, Mullins wants to continue to contribute to the Munster success story and believes the good times can continue.

Clearly the biggest-supported team in Europe, he pointed to the amazing bond between team and supporters as a key factor in that success.

“I know it’s been said over and over again, but the team really appreciates the support. We have had bad days as well as good days but they’re always there, behind us to the end. That means an awful lot to the guys.

“The crowd always play a central role at our home games, but they travel in huge numbers as well. Looking back on the last few years, there are some very special memories when we were away in

different countries. It’s then more than ever that the message sinks in.”

Mullins and his colleagues have

experienced enough heartbreak to know, however, that nothing comes easy and he is always prepared for the worst.

“I think we all have to accept that we’re not going to win every match and the important thing is to have done ourselves justice. We have done that in the last few years but we would always like to do better.

“We set ourselves goals, targets and we’re not happy if we don’t reach them. That was the case in our first match with Gloucester and therefore it was important to get it right in the return fixture.”

But the victory is unlikely to let the team lose the run of themselves.

“No way, we put the win in context, in terms of how important it was to survive in the Heineken Cup. It was only about surviving because we were out if we lost.”

When the draw was made for this year’s tournament, fans viewed the group as a two horse race between Munster and Gloucester. They weren’t wrong, but Mullins insists that the other participants, Bourgoin and Treviso had to be treated with the same respect.

“We didn’t have it easy in Bourgoin. We had to scrap for the victory and just about made it. We will approach this game against Treviso with caution. OK, we put them away in Limerick, but this is Treviso and another day.

“These guys will be no easy-beats at home and we’re not silly enough to think they will. Given decent possession, these guys can score. They got eight tries in their two games against Bourgoin and we couldn’t get any against the French side. We’re aware of what to expect and prepared.

“Hopefully, that’s half the battle but we haven’t set ourselves any unrealistic targets. We haven’t spoken about bonus points, all we want to do is win and that might prove enough in the first instance.”