Quinlan ‘one of greats of the game’

ALAN QUINLAN has promised to take the same positivity that marked his life as a rugby player into retirement when he brings down the curtain on a remarkable career at the end of this season.

After much soul searching, the 36-year-old Munster and Irish back row legend yesterday announced his impending retirement at a press conference in advance of Munster’s Magners League clash with Llanelli at Parc Y Scarlets on Saturday.

He is set to add to his 210 competitive games for Munster this weekend and, barring injury, will also be afforded an opportunity to bow out in front of his beloved home Munster crowd at Thomond Park in the next few weeks.

He will then consider his next step, which could involve a move into coaching or at least some role within a game that has been a huge part of his adult life.

Munster’s coaching director Tony McGahan yesterday described Quinlan, who made his debut in 1996, as one of the greats of the game: “Alan has been an integral part of the success of Munster rugby for the past 15 years. His longevity in a profession of high attrition is a tribute to his dedication, application and durability.

“He is a player’s player whose impact in big games and his ability to turn a negative situation into positive action made him a great person to have on your side and that obviously made him a crowd favourite.

“His decision to retire will bring a sense of poignancy but it is balanced by the knowledge that he can look back on a great career with pride at what he has achieved. He leaves us with our thanks and very best wishes for the future.”

And Quinlan will, indeed, walk away with that sense of pride, even as he briefly reflected on a lost opportunity to tour with the 2009 Lions following his suspension and on perhaps not winning more than a pretty decent 27 Ireland caps.

The Lions deal hurt the most as he reflected: “The obvious one is the Lions. Without getting into it, that was a massive thing (to miss out on). Also getting injured against Argentina (at the 2003 World Cup) was bitter-sweet. It was amazing to score a try for Ireland in the World Cup, but I missed out on a Triple Crown a few months later. I suppose I regret too that I didn’t play more times for Ireland.”

But on the day he confirmed he would give up playing, he said: “I’m really here today to be positive and I’m in a lucky position of hopefully getting out of the game in one piece. I’ve made some great friends and travelled the world.

“I’ve got an opportunity that so many people would give their right hand for. I have won Heineken Cups, played in front of what are in my opinion the best supporters in the world (Munster) and been a part of a successful period for Irish rugby; it has been amazing.

“Yeah, I am pretty proud of what I achieved in the game. I’m sure the referees will be happy to see the back of me, and some of my team-mates too, when you’re shouting and roaring at them, but I’ve made great friends in the game.”

Even though age — he will be 37 in July — suggests his timing is impeccable, Quinlan did briefly consider extending his career for another year, although he didn’t reveal where that might have been.

“I was looking at options but I suppose I have had to be realistic; I had to be honest to myself, to Munster and my team-mates and it is probably the right time to call it a day, although it is hard to let go of it.”

On an emotional day, he thanked his family, those in his starter club Clanwilliam and Shannon RFC, and of course other legendary figures such as Mick Galwey and Peter Clohessy of an older vintage, as well as Anthony Foley, before adding: “It’s probably not fair to mention names because there were so many who had an influence on me. But I was lucky that all through my career I had very good people around me. I first played for Munster in 1996, then Declan (Kidney) took over and the whole thing (for Munster) started.”

He did admit to being frustrated about this 2010/2011 season given an elbow injury kept him sidelined for 11 weeks until recently; he would have preferred to have been more high profile for Munster in his last year.

Yet, he is happy to be back in the mix now and he certainly hopes to play an important role as Munster go in search of both the Magners League and Amlin Challenge Cup titles.

He said: “I’ve felt the pain that everybody in Munster has felt by not qualifying for the Heineken Cup (knockout stages). It has been difficult; it’s something that we have had to get our heads around this year as a group. But here are still two trophies to play for and it is important that everyone in the squad works really hard to try and achieve our goals.

“Personally, I’m just going to work as hard as I can. I’d be pretty honest and have a lot of pride; I’m ready to help the team in whatever way I can, whether I’m picked or not.”

MUNSTER SQUAD (v Scarlets): F Jones, D Hurley, K Earls, P Warwick, D Howlett, L Mafi, S Tuitupou, J Murphy, D Barnes, S Zebo, C Murray, P Stringer, D Williams, D Cusack, R O’Gara, M Horan, D Hurley, W du Preez, T Buckley, J Hayes, S Archer, M Sherry, D Fogarty, D Varley, D Ryan, M O’Driscoll, A Quinlan, P Butler, D O’Callaghan, D Wallace, J Coughlan, T O’Donnell, N Ronan, D Leamy.