Focused Flannery taking toughest test in his stride

JUST over a year ago Jerry Flannery was a club player, and played a central role in Shannon’s successful All-Ireland League campaign, doubling up occasionally in the Celtic League as Frankie Sheehan’s understudy for Munster.

What a difference a year makes for the flamboyant Limerick man. An injury to Sheehan opened the door, and how Flannery has taken advantage.

The unfortunate Sheahan was primed to take over the Ireland hooker’s role from the ageing Shane Byrne but his injury allowed Flannery to strut his stuff for Munster in the Heineken Cup, where a series of outstanding performances almost immediately merited promotion. Now Flannery is Ireland’s undisputed number one, with a European Heineken Cup winner’s medal safely tucked away and memories of a magnificent Six Nations debut season as a Triple Crown winner with Ireland.