Sherry hoping for Ireland’s call

The last year has been both exciting and frustrating for highly rated Munster hooker Mike Sherry, who today awaits news of his immediate international fate when Declan Kidney announces a 30-man squad for the autumn internationals.

The 24-year-old had his first taste of international rugby when he was called up as cover in the 2011 World Cup; he played for the Irish Wolfhounds against England last year and then toured New Zealand, although he got no game time in the three-match Test series.

His progress was hampered last season with a long-term ankle injury and that was as frustrating as not securing any game time in his bid to make a breakthrough down under.

However, today he is hoping he might figure in Kidney’s squad for the autumn games, although he is well aware of the intense competition between five players for, at most, three positions.

Rory Best and Sean Cronin will be named 1 and 2, Sherry and fellow Munster hooker Damien Varley will be keeping fingers crossed that at least one of them gets the nod after that but Leinster’s South African Richard Strauss is now in the equation having spent the required time in Ireland to qualify for selection.

Sherry is philosophical about his prospects and at least he figures he has done everything in his power to impress the national coach; additionally he feels he has every reason to thank Munster coach Rob Penney for giving him the opportunity to press his claim for selection.

In relation to his personal ongoing battle with Varley with Munster, he remarked: “We both have had a fair crack of the whip with four starts this season; whenever we’re subbing we have been given a fair chunk of game time as well, so I think both of us have put a good foot forward.”

Every player would like to assume they’re good enough to make the step up, but Sherry has learned to deal with strong competition and recognises, for instance, that Strauss has deservedly to put his hat in the ring.

“It just means that competition will be heightened but that’s all part and parcel of the challenge. Every week in Munster is a challenge; for now Rob Penney has given us equal opportunity to put our best foot forward, he wants to see us exposed at national level even if it means he won’t have us available for Munster selection.”