Munster and Ireland hooker Jerry Flannery is back in full training and ready to play a part for his country at the Rugby World Cup.
The 32-year old has been cursed with injuries in recent years and missed this season’s Six Nations, the November Internationals and the ill-fated tour of Australia and New Zealand last summer with a troublesome calf problem.
In fact, his last game for Declan Kidney’s side was against France in the 2010 Six Nations, infamously remembered for Flannery’s kick on Alexis Pallison which forced him out of the rest of the competition through suspension.
After two short-lived for comebacks for Munster earlier in the season, however, Flannery is back in full training and determined to get back on the pitch for Ireland as soon as possible.
“Well I’m out training now. I’ve packed in the rehab stuff and I’m enjoying being back on the field with everyone,” Flannery told JOE yesterday.
“I won’t say I’m 100 per cent better until I’ve got past where I was before, which is playing a game and coming off feeling good and healthy, whereas before the two games I came back for Munster this year I thought I was fine and ended up getting injured.”
It’s been a long road back for the hooker. A painful rehabilitation process involved trips to see the physios at both Liverpool and Arsenal football clubs, a visit to an Italian calf specialist, and finally, an appointment with a Swedish surgeon that resulted in an operation on the problem at the end of March.
Flannery admitted that there were some dark days during that recovery period, but he managed to get through with the help of the medical staff and the coaches for Munster and Ireland.
“I think February was probably the lowest, because I didn’t really know where I could go with it from there,” Flannery admitted.
“I felt I had worked so hard in that period coming up to the Ulster game and hadn’t gotten things right then and it was as if I had almost gone back to square one by February.
“With the surgery I had at the end of March, it was kind of a case that I needed to see a big physical intervention in this injury and at least when I look at my legs now, I see a big scar in my calf and know that this should have affected change and should change my situation.
“I have to say Brian Greene (Irish physio) has been brilliant, he’s been incredibly patient and I’ve had great support from Declan Kidney and Tony McGahan as well. I’ve been lucky because I’m a fairly experienced player and I’ve worked with them for a good few years and they understand my situation.”
The next step for Flannery is clocking up some playing time on the pitch and he should be afforded that opportunity next month with four games in as many weeks against Scotland, England and two clashes against France.
Rory Best, Sean Cronin and Damian Varley represent quite formidable opposition for the number two jersey, but Flannery is eagerly awaiting his opportunity and is determined to make the most of it.
“I hope to play as much as they’ll pick me,” he said.
“At this stage now, I feel I’ve kind of explored every avenue and I’ve worked as hard as I can.
“I feel like I’ve been putting off coming back for so long working on my leg and strengthening it. I want to get out, pull the trigger and play and once I get through my first game, I want to play as much as I can.”
Jerry Flannery is an ambassador for Guinness, Proud Partner of Irish Rugby.
Guinness Rugby ambassador Jerry Flannery may be travelling to the other side of the world in September, but rugby fans can get all the latest news updates from inside the Irish camp with Jerry and the six other members of the Guinness Rugby team including player updates, blogs and rugby analysis on the Guinness Rugby Supporters Facebook Page.
www.Facebook.com/GuinnessRugbyIreland
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