MUNSTER second row Dave Foley will use the bitterness he feels for being dropped to inspire him to be a better player. The Clonmel native chatted to the media this week ahead of Munster’s clash with the Newport Gwent Dragons this Sunday about his lack of first team starts, travelling to Newport and his cousin’s exploits on the football field.
Was it difficult to get over last week’s loss to Connacht?
We were very disappointed. Obviously, I think in a lot of ways Connacht played well in fairness to tbem, but I think we probably did ourselves justice. We did not have the ball in the first half. I think our possession was down to 25% in the first half. We are obviously very disappointed with how that went. We were also very disappointed with how our set piece went too. Our lineout and set piece delivery was fairly poor. The mood was not great in the changing room to say the least.
How do you move on from a loss like that?
It’s the Pro12 so you have another game the week after. It’s Newport this week so we had the review of the Connacht game early. It wasn’t good at all, but you have to move on and preview the Newport clash. That’s our focus now. We have five big games coming up, but we are not looking any further than the Newport game to get back up and running again.
Does it hurt more losing to an Irish province in Thomond Park?
Yes, absolutely. It doesn’t matter what province it is, you don’t want to lose to them. That is the first time in 29 years, we have lost to Connacht and I’m only 27. We looked back at Connacht early this week. We had our Chrstmas party in Killarney on Sunday after the game. We had a few beers with each other and tried to forget about it. A lot of us would have come in early this week and had a look at the tapes. You are gutted after the game, but you have to move on quickly. There is no point or it does not serve you well to look back all the time. If it is the only loss we have in Thomond Park this year, you know it would not be the worst thing in the World then. You have to learn from it. Having only 25% of the ball and a poor lineout delivery, we cannot repeat that.
Aside from league points, you want a boost heading into Leicester games in Europe?
They’ll look after themselves really to be fair. You could fall into a trap of looking ahead and that certainly would do us no favors. Newport are a good side and they have done quite well at home this season too. We are going over there with a good squad and we are going over there to try and win and put a performance together.
Munster had their Christmas Party in Killarney last weekend, was that what was needed?
It was a good to have a few beers. Especially after a loss. It was good to try and forget about it. If there was any time to have the party, it was good to have it last week. I know the papers might be on our case about how poor we were and how great Connacht were, but it is still great to have a few pints with the lads and kick our season on after that defeat.
You have been in and out of the starting XV this season. Have you been happy with same?
It has been a little bit disappointing with game time. I think I had a slow start to the season having been out for 7 months with a wrist injury. With some of the games I was left out for, I thought I was playing well enough. It has been hard to take, but it might make me a little bit bitter and maybe even a better player for it. As I was saying, I have an opportunity to play this weekend, so that will be good. There are big games coming up. If I can play well and put a performance in on Sunday then maybe I will throw myself back in the mix.
Is it hard to do? Coming in and out of the team?
It is, but I suppose it makes you a little bit more bitter at the same time. So, I think personally I play better when I play every single week. My fitness builds up, I feel better that way. Two seasons ago, when I did break in, I played every week and I think that is why I was playing well. Competition is good as well you know. Donnacha Ryan is there too. Mark Chisholm is there. They have close to 100 caps between the two of them. I think Mark has 58 and Donnacha has 34, so it’s a good thing. I have youth on my side, so I think that is a positive for me. To be honest, maybe it is the kick in the ass that I needed.
Is there any resentment towards someone like Mark Chisholm and his arrival into your positiion?
When I found out he (Mark Chisolm) was coming first, the coaches were straight out about it. They needed more locks. There was only really three senior lads there. Myself, Donnacha Ryan and Billy Holland. If Donnacha went away to Ireland camp, then we would only have had two, before any injuries. If I was then lucky enough to have been called up, then we would really only have had one. When Munster sign a player, they were never going to really sign a second class player, they were going to sign a good lock and in a sense, they were right to do it. But, now that I am not playing, I am pretty bitter about it and that is a big driving force for me. I am 27 now and I don’t have a huge amount of time left. There are locks who play up until they are 40 and I don’t know if I really want to do that to be honest. I think I have the best 3-4 years of my career coming up and I think it is in my power, which is a good thing. If it was not in my power, that would be hard to take. I am just going to play my game. I am looking forward to it.
Rodney Parade then this weekend. A tough place to play?
I think I have only played there twice. The first time there, I dislocated my shoulder when I was around 19. The last time I played there we won. It is a tough place to go. That ‘shed’ is rough. They are basically on the pitch. They know their rugby there.
Munster have a decent record there though, does that help?
They are a decent side, especially when they are at home. They are like Munster. They are working class people and they will abuse you going on to and off the pitch, but it is a good place to win.
As a native of Clonmel, does Clonmel Commercials’ performances of late inspire you?
I did keep an eye yes. My cousin Also Matassa was playing with them. His Dad is Italian and married to my father’s sister. He was in midfield for them. He also plays for Tipperary. He is a handy player. I was delighted for him and it is really good for the town. It is brilliant.
Did you play with them?
I did, I played a bit of football. I wasn’t allowed to kick it, I was only allowed to catch it. I had a teacher in High School, who was also the football coach, Tony Gleeson, and he used to tell me to never kick the ball and only to hand pass it. It is great for the club. For years it was Moyle Rovers winning everything in Clonmel, but it is brilliant for the town. I know 4-5 of them alright, I hope they celebrated it well.
