Foley Fired Up For Warriors Semi

Preparing for his first RaboDirect PRO12 semi-final, second row Dave Foley knows both he and Munster need to right the wrongs of last weekend.

Having handed Edinburgh their heaviest defeat of the season (12-55) a week previous, one could be forgiven for thinking Munster’s lack of performance against a mainly second string Ulster side was largely down to complacency. Not in the eyes of Foley;

“It was never a question of complacency, I just think we didn’t play the conditions well, and if we go over to Glasgow and repeat the same unforced errors then we may as well not show up”.

Consistency is something that Munster have struggled with of late, a fact which the Munster lock is only too aware of. It’s now ‘backs to the wall’ time with any chance of silverware for the season resting on tonight’s fixture;

“Thomond Park has historically always been a tough place to come and win, but to be honest I’m not really sure that it has been this season. From our point of view that’s a difficult pill to swallow.

“If we don’t win in Glasgow we don’t have another match this season so it’s been Cup Final mentality all week”.

2013/14 has been quite the season for Dave Foley – from being an unused sub in Munster’s away round fixture to Warriors in October, to now facing them from the start in a PRO12 semi-final.

“Just after the first Glasgow game was when I first started believing in myself and I think now I’m a different animal. At this stage I’ve got loads of self-belief and am 100% focused on this game and on myself.”

Those best at any pursuit are always first to recognise their own mistakes and learn from them – Foley is doing just that;

“I think it (Ulster) was probably the poorest performance from me this year at the breakdown. I didn’t always get my man at the breakdown and one or two got past me. Those basics have always been the starting point of my game and something I’ve always focused on and to not do them was incredibly disappointing for me.

“I’m really angry with myself over that. Both I and the team need to play really well this weekend to do ourselves justice and to be in with a chance".

Asked on where he expects the biggest challenge tonight night;

“We expect a tough physical battle up front, that’s always where the battle is won or lost, with the likes of Ali Kellock leading from the front”.

Munster v Glasgow Warriors, Scotstoun Stadium, Friday May 16th. KO: 7:35pm. To purchase tickets online please click here.