Flannery to kick-on from Kingsholm
April 25 2008
Dynamism and desire are attributes firmly affiliated with everything that is Munster rugby - and in hooker Jerry Flannery the Irish province possess a man who best typifies the side's motto.
The echoing chorus of 'Stand Up and Fight' that has tingled the soon to be rejuvenated Thomond Park before every home game has regularly been mooted as being equivalent to an extra man.
However, just three weeks ago, the customary army of travelling Irish support had their voices tested to the hilt at one of England's toughest arenas as Gloucester threw everything they had at Declan Kidney's defence.
And according to one part of the Munster spine on that day, honesty was one attribute needed in what was a mammoth 16-3 team display.
"The quarter-final at Kingsholm was a very tough game," Flannery revealed to Planet Rugby.
"We knew pre-game that Gloucester held so many dangerous broken-field runners and that it would take a complete 80 minute performance to have any chance a coming away with a victory.
"There was also a lot of early luck in the win when our poor discipline wasn't converted into Gloucester points by the usually proficient Chris Paterson.
"I felt it was an honest team effort by one to fifteen, but it would be unfair not to mention the composed performances of Tomas O'Leary and especially Denis Hurley, who was making his first appearance in the Heineken Cup."
Whilst being a regular in Munster's campaigns over recent seasons, the 29-year-old Limerick bar owner recently missed out on Six Nations rugby after receiving a four-week ban.
Yet Flannery believes that his absence from the top circuit has levelled and certainly focused his mind ahead of facing Europe's club elite.
"Being unavailable for the Six Nations due to suspension and injury was very disappointing," he said.
"However, the absence has made me appreciate even more the chance I now have to play in such big games as Heineken Cup semi-finals and I'm really looking forward to the game."
Continuing to look ahead to Sunday - having defeated the Cherry and Whites in the last eight just a day prior to semi-final opponents Saracens' clash against the Ospreys - many pundits had predicted one winner at Vicarage Road after the two's EDF one-sider.
And the 21-times capped player admitted that he was one of many impressed by the English side's fortnight turnaround, discounting their indifferent domestic form ahead of the meeting at the Ricoh Arena.
"Being honest I did think Saracens were the underdogs going into their quarter-final, but good form can end up counting for very little in Cup rugby as Saracens proved with an immense performance," he said.
"I was very impressed with the intensity with which Saracens played and how competitive they were at the breakdown.
"They have had some inconsistent league form of late but I think it would be very foolish to underestimate them at this stage of the competition.
"With so many quality players and such an experienced and knowledgeable coach, Saracens have shown that on their day they're a match for any team."
By Adam Kyriacou