It was officially confirmed this Wednesday that Munster’s Alan Quinlan will retire from professional rugby at the end of the current season. “You wouldn’t have to be a rocket scientist to know that I was looking at retiring this season.
I made my debut in 1996 and the years have flown by. It has been a wonderful opportunity for me. It will take a time for me to get my head around it. To be realistic at this stage is what you need. I am one of those people who likes to be honest. I have to be honest with myself, Munster Rugby and my teammates. It’s probably the right time to call it a day. It is hard to let go of it, but I am happy with my decision now that I have made it.” commented the Clanwilliam Club man.
Quinlan who has been a part of all Munster’s successes, Celtic League, Celtic Cup, Magners League and both Heineken Cup winning titles admits, the decision to call it a day was a difficult one to make.
“When I injured my elbow againt Connacht, that made me think. I wanted to try and get a run of games. At that point I was trying to see how things had progressed and think about the retirement at this time of the season. I had a sit down with family and friends and with Munster Rugby and I just decided it was right to retire. I will miss it, but part of me is excited that about the next chapter in my life.”
What that next chapter will be is not quiet clear yet.
“I did look at other options of continuing to play, but I did not put too much time into that. I am going to be 37 in July, so I knew in my heart that I had to be realistic. When you get to your 30’s you have to reassess on a yearly basis. I had to be honest to my teammates. I didn’t want to let my team mates down or just hang around with Munster and just pay up the wages. If I am not going to be a realistic option of being in the team, then it was time to walk away. I looked at it also, that I was not going to be playing for Ireland again. There is not alot more I can achieve by staying on. Of course I would have loved to have played more for Ireland and won more with my country, but when I saw options, I have many options to look at. I have given the next chapter alot of thought, but the first step was to stop playing professional rugby.”
Quinny’s professional career began in the summer of 1997. The number six gave up his mechanic’s job at Pearse Motors to take up a contract with Munster.
“When I started, professional rugby was still new to us all at Munster. I left my job in Pearse Motors as a mechanic and people thought I was crazy. I trained on my own for six months and I got a contract in the summer of 1997. I had great success with Shannon and then Declan Kidney took over and it went from there. The reason I never left Munster was because every year there was a drive to improve. There an ambition to get better. I was very lucky to join that core group of players. They played an integral part in winning the Heineken Cups in 06 and 08. I can look back now that I am finished and reflect on those achievements. I am pretty proud of what I have achieved”
With those achievements, come regrets, but more highlights confirms the Munster fans favourite.
“The obvious regret is the Lions Tour I missed out on. Getting injured in Argentina was bittersweet. It was amazing to score a try for Ireland in the World Cup, but I missed out on a triple crown a couple of months later. At this time it is not about looking back with regrest though for me. I am in a lucky position that I can get out of the game in one piece. I have made great friends and travelled the World. I have had an opportunity that people would give their right hand for. To play in front of the greatest supporters in the World. To be part of the most successful period in Irish rugby too. I have been very very lucky. I want to look back and give myself a pat on the back. I have not done that much before, but I am pretty proud of what I have done in the game. I am sure the referees will be glad to see the back of me. Some of my team mates will be too. They won’t miss me shouting and roaring at them.”
The final words go to AQ, “I just want to thank the Munster Supporters, for their support. The media too have been great support for me over the years. My family too. They have been brilliant. The people of Tipperary have my thanks too. I came from a great club in Clanwilliam and they were always supportive of me. I was lucky to go on to Shannon and have the same support there. This is just an opportunity for me to say thanks to everyone for their support and helping me along the way.”
