The west’s awake, insists Connacht convert Cronin
A couple of years ago, after three good, progressive years in the Munster Academy, but finding himself in a queue behind the considerable talents of Jerry Flannery and Denis Fogarty, Seán decided to head for Connacht, and boy has that decision paid off.
A first full international cap last November, against Fiji in the RDS, a place on the bench during the recent Six Nations, is one testimony to that fact; a European semi-final tomorrow night in Galway – Amlin Challenge Cup against French big guns Toulon – is another.
Right decision then, for any aspiring rugby pro? You could say that – Seán certainly does.
“I would, yes. You have to have a serious sit-down and a chat with yourself – it’s a serious decision, a lot of options to be weighed up. It was hard for me to leave Munster, it’s where I had come up playing my club rugby, my schools rugby, so it was a big decision to make.
“I sat down, talked to Brads (Michael Bradley, Connacht head coach), talked to my Academy coaches, talked to Declan Kidney who was Munster coach at the time, made the decision, and I haven’t looked back.”
So, to be recommended then?
“Well in fairness there’s a fair few of the Munster lads who were involved in the Academy with me starting to push through on to the (Munster) senior side now as well, the likes of Billy Holland, Dave Ryan, Duncan Williams. For those who are younger than that again, they have to have a serious sit-down and consider all their options, and if they do decide to come up here they’re going to have to prove themselves as well.
“But you just can’t buy the experience of playing in the Magners League. You’re up against top internationals week-in week-out, then you go to Europe and you’re up against English and French sides. You’re playing the best of the best, and that’s the best way to improve as a player – you never know where the road will lead after that.”
He has recently signed a one-year extension to his contract in Connacht, but given his performances for the province during their unbeaten run to this European semi-final, surely he’s been approached now by some of the bigger clubs?
“No,” he replies, but coach Michael Bradley intervenes – “It’s because you keep giving out the wrong number, Seanie!”
The reality though is that much and all as Seán Cronin is enjoying his time in Connacht, and much as it’s been a mutually profitable exchange, the pull of home is still very strong.
“Munster is always a place that’s close to my heart, I spent a lot of years there. They’re such a massive name in Europe – any aspiring rugby-player, if Munster came knocking, would have to have a serious think about it, but at the moment I’m thoroughly enjoying my rugby in Connacht.”
And they ARE building something serious in Connacht. There’s a good solid base of home-produced players, the likes of team captain Johnny Muldoon, full-back Gavin Duffy, titanic and totemic second-row Andrew Browne, backrow Johnny ‘O’Concrete’ O’Connor, winger Brian Touhy, several more youngsters coming on stream this year. Combined with the likes of Seán Cronin and flying Fionn Carr on the wing from the other Irish provinces, Anglo-Irish exiles like Mike McCarthy, and a few dedicated bonecrushers from the Pacific Islands, means that when they name their first 22 Connacht are now a match for the best, and in Galway especially so. Which is why tomorrow evening could be a bit special.
“The squad is buzzing at the moment; I know the weekend (loss to Llanelli) was a bit of a letdown but you have to take the positives from that. A few lads got their first starts for Connacht – Tiernan O’Halloran, Eoin Griffin, Dave Nolan, local lads – and a few new lads came off the bench as well.
They’ve been exposed now to what it takes at this level, they can use that to build their own careers. Look, we’re buzzing. Toulon won’t have played in a place like this before; the crowd gets behind us, we’ll try to build our game, work ourselves into it – hopefully things go our way.”
* SKIPPER John Muldoon will lead Connacht out after overcoming a groin injury.
And Michael Bradley’s men are further boosted by the availability of centre Niva TA’auso (knee), scrum-half Frank Murphy (ankle) and prop Jamie Hagan (hamstring), after they were passed fit to play.
However, centre Keith Matthews has been ruled out with an ankle injury, joining flanker Ray Ofisa on the sideline after the Samoan was ruled out after suffering a recurrence of vertigo against the Scarlets on Sunday.
Connacht squad
Backs: F Carr, G Duffy, I Keatley, F Murphy, T Nathan, M Nikora, C O’Loughlin, N Ta’auso, B Tuohy, A Wynne.
Forwards: S Cronin, A Flavin, J Hagan, C Higgins, R Loughney, M McCarthy, M McComish, R Morris, J Muldoon, G Naoupu, J O’Connor, M Swift, B Upton, B Wilkinson.
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