Happy-hooker Blaney emerges from Sheahan’s shadow

THE last four years have been the happiest of James Blaney’s professional rugby career — even though his centre stage appearances are rare. He has had to live and work in the shadow of Frankie Sheahan as second choice Munster hooker, but now he finally gets his day in the sun when he makes his first home start in the Heineken Cup.

Sheahan is ruled out with the same knee injury that kept him on the sidelines in Treviso last week and for Blaney it is an opportunity he is philosophical about.

“Frankie is number one and deservedly so. He has been a key member of the team and I have to recognise that.”

But if that sounds defeatist, it’s far from it because Blaney is fully intent on furthering his claim to the position against Bourgoin at Thomond Park this afternoon.

For a guy who played eight Heineken Cup games with Leinster, who represented Irish Schools, Ireland under 21’s and Ireland A’s, it’s obvious he should have ambition. The extension of the Celtic League, allied to Ireland’s World Cup campaign, afforded him the opportunity to play more often as first choice than ever before this season and that has been to the benefit of the player and the team as a whole.

“I don’t think there is any player in the squad who wants to sit around waiting for an opportunity but I have been luckier than some. I played in the Celtic League and have been given game time in most of the other matches as well.”

But these cameo appearances paled into insignificance compared with last week’s full 80 minutes against Treviso. Blaney assessed the display and victory thus: “It wasn’t the best performance we’ve produced as a team and there were certain things I can improve on myself. Still, we’ve got to be happy with the five points and we were happy with that at least. It was great to get into the side eventually. I suppose persistency paid off for me. But I was pretty excited about it.”

The excitement of appearing in Thomond Park on such a huge occasion is building further this week.

“We’re aware of the permutations for qualification and you would imagine that Gloucester will get their bonus point against Treviso at Kingsholm. That effectively means that we have got to win and do the same in Limerick. It puts the onus on us to go out looking for a bonus point if we hope to get a home quarter-final draw.”

“Still, we can’t be too preoccupied with that. We’ve got to get the process right, go out, get the win and hope that other things follow on. Basically we have got to keep our focus on securing a win for starters.”

Even though he has had plenty experience of Thomond Park match-days and the special atmosphere, Blaney remains amazed by the remarkable level of support for the team both home and away.

“You can use all the cliches you like, but they’re all true in any event. The Munster supporters are just a smashing crowd to play in front of, really special people.”

Last week, over 3,000 people turned up in Treviso to support Munster, a source of shock to the home club, but not to Blaney.

“I think Munster’s attraction goes beyond the province. We know that a lot of people came to see the match from Britain and around Europe and they weren’t all necessarily people from Munster. It’s a tribute to the team and what they have achieved that people from outside the province should see fit to go and support them.”