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Alan Quinlan

Alan Quinlan

Alan Quinlan is a former Ireland backrow and lock, who played 27 times for his country. Originally from Tipperary, he began his career at Clanwilliam before moving on to Shannon and Munster, where he was a two-time Heineken Cup winner (2008, 2006). Selected to play in two World Cups, in 2003 and 2007, he was then picked for the Lions Tour in 2009, but missed out through suspension. He retired in 2011.

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A dejected Tadhg Bennett of Shannon after the final whistle against UCD last weekend. Photograph: Cathal Noonan/Inpho
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Alan Quinlan being announced as a member of the Lions squad in 2009. He had been so far off the radar when players were being photographed in team gear during the season that his head had to be superimposed on Martyn Williams’s body when he was selected. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho
The day you are named a Lion makes every day that came before it worthwhile

Yesterday brought back memories from four years ago when I got the shock of my life

Perception is the key if Munster are going to to climb the mountain against Clermont

Playing away in France is all about mindset – if they don’t believe they can win, they won’t

Alan Quinlan’s confrontation with Leo Cullen in the 2009 Heineken Cup semi-final resulted in a citing which cost him his place on the Lions tour that summer. Photograph: Getty Images
Being cited is no fun for any player - and nobody knows that better than I do

I was cited three times in my career - two were deserved but one was totally unfair

Paul O’Connell salutes the fans. Photo: Dan Sheridan/Inpho
Watching Munster had me wishing I was down there on the pitch

Players stood up again when it was required to achieve an epic victory

Dejected Munster players after conceding the final try against Glasgow in their Pro 12 clash last Friday night. They need to lift themselves for their clash against Harlequins.
Munster have to believe they can find a way, even if it’s hard to see how they can

Conceding 51 points to Glasgow is terrible preparation for Heineken Cup quarter-final

Former New Zealand great John Kirwan, the current coach of the Auckland Blues was open regarding his own mental health issues in his book. Photograph: Getty Images.
Mental health isn’t a simple matter but we’re making strides in rugby and beyond

Irupa’s work with current and ex-players provides an outlet for when times are tough

Luke Marshall lies injured in Rome. Photograph: Inpho/James Crombie
Lack of bulk could be the reason behind Ireland’s chronic injury crisis

This number of players missing can’t all be down to freakish bad luck

More articles

Rabo Pro 12

Team P W D L F A BP Pts
Ulster 22 17 1 4 577 348 11 81
Leinster 22 17 0 5 585 386 10 78
Glasgow 22 16 0 6 541 324 12 76
Scarlets 22 15 0 7 436 406 6 66
Ospreys 22 14 1 7 471 342 4 62
Munster 22 11 1 10 442 384 8 54
Treviso 22 10 2 10 414 450 6 51
Connacht 22 8 1 13 358 422 4 38
Cardiff 21 8 0 13 335 450 6 38
Edinburgh 22 7 0 15 499 504 8 36
Dragons 22 6 0 16 358 589 4 28
Zebre 22 0 0 22 288 573 10 10

 

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