Muldoon and Ronan bid to be Ireland’s super six

NOT long ago, the chances of John Muldoon, Niall Ronan or Chris Henry wearing the number six jersey on the Irish team against either New Zealand or Australia would have been fairly remote.

Stephen Ferris had the position nailed down, after an impressive Lions tour followed by a succession of fine performances in the Six Nations Championship. And then, with the season virtually at an end, he suffered a fractured cheekbone that necessitated an operation. End of season. Last week, his likely replacement, Kevin McLaughlin, went down in the Magners League final.

That left a squad historically well off for back-row talent suddenly short in a key position. So coach Declan Kidney saw tonight’s game against the Barbarians at Thomond Park as an opportunity to bring himself up to speed on blind side flank options.

He threw three of the likely contenders, Muldoon, Henry and Ronan into the thick of the fray – although there will be those who understandably see David Wallace’s presence among the replacements as an indication that he could be used at number six down under with the in-form Shane Jennings ready to take his spot at seven.

For now, though, Kidney is wise to examine all the options and that in turn puts the onus on people like Ronan and Muldoon to demonstrate what they can provide to the cause. Muldoon, an inspirational captain for Connacht all year, was in the squad from the outset, but Ronan only got the good news a matter of days ago.

Both Muldoon and Ronan come from rural backgrounds, born in Galway and Meath, and with plenty experience of gaelic games in their earlier years. Muldoon has battled gamely with his native Connacht, Ronan chose the Munster route in the fear that me might never break through the log jam building up in front of him at Leinster. It proved a very wise decision.

Ronan’s international appearances came against Canada and the US during last year’s summer tour. Muldoon was also capped in those games so now their objective is to wear the green against top-ranking opposition.

The similarity in their careers is maintained by the fact that they are both 27 although in the race for the number six jersey, Muldoon may have the edge as he is the one more accustomed to the activities on the blind side of the scrum where his 6’3”, 16 stone 9 lbs frame is so often seen to good effect. He, too, owes his current prominence to the success of his provincial side.

“Connacht’s success helped to put me in the shop window to a degree,” mused the Portumna native. “The season was fairly up and down, we had a lot to play for towards the end of the season but at the end of the day we didn’t achieve any of our goals. On a personal level it’s good for me and Sean Cronin (to be involved), and we’re really looking forward to the tour and the Tests. We’d want to do ourselves and Ireland proud and hopefully that would make Connacht people proud.”

While Muldoon’s emphasis is understandably very much on tonight’s game, he cannot help but look ahead to New Plymouth a week later and Ireland’s latest opportunity to finally beat the All Blacks.

“Niall played against them last year down in Thomond Park but it’s a different scenario going into their back garden. But we want to challenge ourselves against the best and that’s what they are at the moment – they are the best.”

Muldoon, of course, was referring to the November 2008 Munster-New Zealand game in which the home side came within a few tantalising seconds of beating the tourists.

Ronan was one of the Munster heroes and duelled with a little-known Kiwi, Liam Messam, now captain of the All Blacks for the forthcoming series.

“I was lucky enough to swap the jersey with him and it’s up on the wall at home.”