Quinlan: Semi-final ‘performance anxiety’ developing in Munster

ALAN QUINLAN believes Munster have developed a complex aboutsemi-finals because they’ve been too anxious and worked up.

Tony McGahan’s side have lost four semi-finals over the past 24 months and while Quinlan maintains that Munster will rebound as a major force in European club rugby after hisimminent retirement, he admitted their dismal recent record in thepenultimate round of competitions is disconcerting heading into tomorrow’s Magners League semi-final against Ospreys in Thomond Park.

Munster’s semi-final jinx began with their 2009 Heineken Cup defeat to Leinster after which Quinlan wassuspended for an altercation with Leo Cullen.

And while Quinlan believes the Munster side may have been too calm entering that game — “we weremissing that bit of nervous tension” — he suspects the team may now have gone to the other side of the scales.

“It was a massive blow losing to Harlequins last month,” says Quinlan who has probably played his last game having not made the 27-man match-day squad for tomorrow’s clash.

“The previous eight weeks there had been a real feelgood factor within the squad and it was a real ambition to go and win the Amlin Cup. But we just didn’t play. Maybe it’s a performance anxiety thing about semi-finals which is something we’ve been caught out on a few times now over the last few years.

“It’s a difficult balance to strike. All the boys are experienced and they try and prepare the best they can. They wouldn’t have taken Harlequins lightly in any shape or form. But often when you’re too stressed and anxious about things, you don’t play with the freedom and [fail to] fulfil your potential on the day, whereas everyone had written Harlequins off and they came over with nothing to lose.”

Quinlan is also of the view that Munster as an organisation needs to — and will — raise its game after a disappointing season in Europe.

“It’s not even a case that I think Munster will bounce back. I think Munster have to bounce back. They don’t have an option. The brand is too big now. Certainly we’re entering a bit of a transitional period but new players will come in and the brand is so big and strong it will attract new top players. There has to be some reshuffling but I believe those adjustments will be made and Munster will come back strong. Munster rugby will be around for a long time after Alan Quinlan or any other player retires.”