On the eve of his retirement, JOE caught up with Munster and Ireland legend Alan Quinlan for a chat about his eventful career, beating depression and the Magners League final this weekend.
A mouth-watering inter-provincial Magners League final will hog the attention of rugby fans throughout Ireland this weekend, but it will be a bittersweet occasion for Munster’s Alan Quinlan, as the curtain finally draws on an eventful 15-year career that has had more highs and lows than your average rollercoaster.
Having been excluded from the Munster squad, Quinlan will not be a part of the action at Thomond Park on Saturday evening, but he will be cheering on his friends and teammates who will be looking to round off what has been a troubled season on a high.
With the end now firmly in sight, Alan was good enough to take the time to talk to us about the Magners League final, a tough final season, the depression that once dogged him and some of the most memorable moments in a fascinating career with both Munster and Ireland.
JOE: Having won the Heineken Cup last weekend, Leinster might be a bit beat-up coming into the Magners League Final. Are you confident you can beat them at Thomond?
Alan Quinlan: Obviously Leinster have been the form team all year. They didn‘t have a great start to the season but since then they’ve been in great form and they’ll fancy their chances coming to Limerick this weekend. To be honest though, I wish it was us that had played in a Heineken Cup Final and won it, it’s a good complaint to have and I’m sure they’ll be coming to Thomond Park full of confidence.
Although depression is a big word and a dark word, I think it’s important that people understand that you can do something about it.
We’re under no illusions as to the task at hand; it’s going to be a hell of a game and a great finale to the season. It’s the game everyone wanted – the fans, the media, the organisers of the competition – and I think it’s a great way to finish it off.
I suppose we’re just hopeful we can get our hands on some silverware and although Leinster will be favourites, there’s pressure on us as well because it’s been a very tough season. It will be a tough game no matter what and I’m sure there won’t be a lot in it in the end.
JOE: There was a lot of harsh criticism of Munster earlier in the year. How aware were the players of the criticism and how did you react to it?
AQ: You couldn’t help but feel the negative vibes going around about Munster earlier in the year and we tried to ignore it, but it is disappointing in some quarters when you hear it being said that Munster aren’t preparing for the future.
If you look at the Magners League, we’ve been very consistent and we’ve actually played 53 players in the league which is something that people don’t pick up on. The young players got some vital experience and even still, we only lost three games all season and finished with a great points tally.
Of course there’s going to be criticism when it’s such a big brand like Munster is and because of the success we’ve had over the years I think people are invariably going to criticise and be harder on you, but I suppose that’s the benchmark we’ve set for ourselves over the years. I can understand the fans’ frustration, but in fairness we’ve had a lot of success over the years and unfortunately this year has come back to bite us a little.
JOE: How big of a deal was it for you to open up about your depression given that rugby is such a macho sport?
AQ: Well it’s not a big deal for me to speak out about it now, but at the time I suppose I suffered for not opening up and talking about my emotions. It’s a campaign that I’m glad to be involved in because I think it is a problem in Ireland, people don’t open up and seek help and don’t seem to realise that it’s a treatable illness.
Did my shoulder just pop? Quinlan scoring against Argentina in the 2003 World Cup
I’m much more aware of where I’m at nowadays and I have a better understanding of depression and although it’s a big word and a dark word, I think it’s important that people understand that you can do something about it. There’s a lot of negative stuff happening in Ireland at the moment so I think this is a step forward and hopefully I can bring it out into the light a bit more and get people to open up and not be afraid to talk about it.
JOE: Now that retirement is getting closer, are you dreading it a bit more?
AQ: I’m looking forward to the break, both mentally and physically, because there’s a lot of pressure that comes with being a professional rugby player and there are a lot of sacrifices you have to make. I certainly won’t miss the fitness training and that side of it anyway!
Obviously, I’ll be sad leaving rugby, but I can look back with fond memories at the success and the opportunities I’ve had in my career. I’ll enjoy the break for a while, but I’m sure when the lads start playing again next year, it will start biting back at me and I’ll want to play again. But, I’ve had my time, I’ve had a lot of success and enjoyment in rugby and I’ll always miss it, but I’m looking forward to the next stage of my life and the challenges that come with it.
JOE: Finally, is there any moment in your career that stands out as the most memorable?
AQ: There are probably two moments that stick out that I always come back to. Scoring a try for Ireland against Argentina in the World Cup in 2003 is certainly one, although it was probably a bittersweet moment to score in such a big game and to dislocate my shoulder in the process. It was a bit of a double-edged sword but I think it’s something I’ll always look back on and cherish.
The other moment I always come back to is the 2008 Heineken Cup Final. In 2006 I only came on for a few minutes in the final, I had been injured for most of the season and just got back at the right time and was very lucky and privileged to even get on the bench and have the chance to get on the pitch.
In 2008, I got myself in good shape and managed to play all the matches and I suppose I had more of a part to play in the success. I often think back to that day and I often dream about it because it was just such a special day for me.
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