Opportunity knocks as Munster back row woes continue

A SERIES of injuries to a number of key players has opened up the possibilities for a number of Munster players where the blind side flank position on the side to meet Toulon next month is concerned.

Alan Quinlan became the latest casualty in Galway when he dislocated his elbow seven minutes into the second half of the Magners League win over Connacht on Monday evening.

Munster are hopeful of obtaining a more comprehensive diagnosis over the next day or two but in the worst case scenario, the 36-year-old Tipperaryman’s career, let alone this current season, may be in serious doubt.

To make matters worse, James Coughlan — who laid claim to the number six jersey in recent weeks, and the highly promising and quickly developing Peter O’Mahony, are also ruled out for the immediate future.

Niall Ronan has slotted comfortably into a reshuffled Munster back-row in similar circumstances in the past and has the experience and ability to do so again should he get the call.

The Meathman is likely to have the opportunity to press his claims when Ulster provide the opposition at Thomond Park on Saturday night next, even though he won’t want a repeat of the last minute incident that saw him sin binned in Galway.

“The ref binned me for a professional foul but I thought I was in the right,” he mused. “They had the momentum and I tried to slow the ball down and I thought I could do that — but obviously not.”

Now he hopes to have the opportunity to make amends but appreciates that Ulster won’t make it easy.

“It is always very physical in a game against guys you know fairly well,” said Ronan. “There is a lot at stake and while we won our first game against them away from home, they will want to make a statement after losing to Leinster, and of course they have been doing very well in Europe in recent weeks.

“They beat us well a few years ago at Thomond Park and we don’t want that to happen again. Hopefully, the crowd get behind us and we can get another result. This is the business end of the season for us. We want to win trophies and in that light, Saturday’s game is massive.”

It will be interesting to see which of the current candidates are handed the number six jersey on Saturday.

Tipperary youngster Paddy Butler did extremely well against Connacht, further confirming the view of several admirers that he is a Denis Leamy in the making, although at 20 he may have to wait for another year or two.

Niall Ronan describes Butler as “naturally talented and when physically stronger, will definitely be one for the future”.

As for the luckless Alan Quinlan, Ronan spoke in praise; “Quinny disrupts ball, is a great motivator and a great footballer and would be a massive loss. Hopefully he won’t be out for too long.”