Quinlan Ready For Academy Ranks

Cork Constitution playmaker Tomás Quinlan reflects on a busy summer to date that’s seen him join the Greencore Munster Academy ranks and kick Ireland to victory on his U20 debut at the 2015 World Rugby U20 Championship.

Having previously represented Munster at U19 and U20 level, Quinlan made his Munster ‘A’ debut in the British & Irish Cup against Worcester Warriors last October before exhibiting a standout performance for a Munster Development side against Ireland U20 the following December – kicking three penalties.

That December, the former Christian’s player was also named the Ulster Bank League Rising Star of the Month and his performances at both club and provincial age-grade level were eventually rewarded when he won a late call up to the Ireland U20s World Cup squad in June. There, he featured in four of Ireland’s five encounters and on his U20s debut kicked a last minute, much lauded, penalty from the touchline to clinch an opening victory against Argentina (see below).

Fair balls to ya Boy !!! Well done tomas Quinlan ..

— Ronan O Gara (@RonanOGara10) June 2, 2015

Months later Quinlan reflects on ‘that kick’, “It was definitely one of the luckier ones anyway. I had given away a penalty just beforehand and knowing there was just four minutes left I said to myself I need to get a drop goal or something – it’s going to be a kick anyway, unlikely it would be a try. And then luckily enough a chance came about and I guess I was haunted when it went over.”

Looking back at his World Cup experience at large, the playmaker said, “It was absolutely brilliant to be called up – it was very unexpected because I was just called in 24 hours before they left so I didn’t really have time to think about it. There were lots of ups and downs but I guess that comes with everything. Overall it was a brilliant experience, you’re playing with the best rugby players in the world at your age so it leaves you thinking; what do I have to work on, what do I have over them and how I can learn off them?

At 20 years old, having shown his potential at sub-academy level, Quinlan is now transitioning into Year One of the Greencore Munster Academy. “The sub-academy gave me an idea of what they (Munster) expect from you and whether you’re up for it or not. Luckily for me they thought I was up for it and hopefully I’ll do well. For now I just have to focus, learn from those in the Academy and train hard. I’m in control of it and it’s up to me to prove my ability.

“Being in the Cork base, I talk a lot to Donncha O’Callaghan and a couple of the other senior players, you get advice from them and also watch how they train. When they talk to you, you listen. It’s good to talk to those that have done it already and they are very open to be fair.

“Work hard is the main message you get from all the senior players, keep the attitude that you are always learning, you don’t know everything. He (Donncha) gives good advice so it’s good to listen to him.”

In knowing that professional rugby is as much about what happens off the field as on it, the Cork city native is currently working up a sweat in 2015/16 pre-season. “The sessions are tough, even when you’re on your break you’ve to think about your eating, your break is your recovery but you’re still switched on. These weeks you find yourself in bed early – after a squad day I’d be in bed by 9 o’clock and when travelling from Cork to Limerick you might not get home till about 7 o’clock that night. So yeah, these weeks are tough, but you know the more you put in, the more you’ll get from it. Even after Week 1 I felt much fresher and I was just happy to be back to be honest.”

In concluding with his hopes for Year One of the Greencore Munster Academy, the Cork Constitution fly-half recognises the importance of the club game in his development as a professional rugby player. “This year I want to get back playing with Con and try my best to get more game-time with them – more than last year preferably. I just want to keep my head down and try to get on the team. If that goes well, I’d love to play again for Munster ‘A’ and prove myself at that level.”