Anne McInerney is a wonderful window into the heart of professional sport

Maybe it’s my army background or maybe it’s the various privileged positions I’ve enjoyed in sport, but I’ve always assumed that to get anything done one must go straight to the top. This is true in so many ways but there is one classic exception. Deep in the bowels of Irish rugby there resides a number of administrators silently driving the ship forward. I got to know one of them over the many incredibly happy years I spent in the blue of Leinster.

On Tuesday, I attended my first removal of 2015. Anne McInerney, who served as Leinster Schools Administrator for 15 years until her retirement at the end of last season, unfortunately passed away on Sunday afternoon after a short illness. Sitting there my mind drifted. As Leo Cullen lifted cup after cup for Leinster many plaudits will have landed on the players (legends all) or the coaches who have all gone on to bigger and better things. But who would have spared a thought for Anne and the countless others like her.

Anne really enjoyed her rugby, not just her work which involved organising the schools calendar for the season where there are numerous competitions. She was also in charge of the mascots for the senior team which meant dealing with many, many, very enthusiastic parents. This brought her into contact with all the professional players where she was very well respected by all; nothing was too much trouble for Anne.

Grinning face

Breezing through the Leinster branch for one thing or another, it would be the grinning face of Anne that would welcome me, where often I’d happily loiter in full chat about St Mary’s College’s trials and tribulations of the previous weekend. For Anne was the oracle of the future but also an insight into the past where, yes the firsts were a topic but she’d happily wax lyrical of the ‘lesser’ teams equally engaged in the Metro Leagues of 2nds, 3rds and so on, for she would proudly stand (never sit) pitchside urging Mary’s on, indifferent to their level.

She watched at least two St Mary's matches every weekend, where three of her six children were very involved in the club; not to mention her son-in-law, referee Dudley Phillips, which must have made for hilarious Sunday dinners.

Anne retired from Leinster last June, having come through the many challenges professionalism placed upon the organisation. No doubt, like the players they had to adjust to the ever-growing demands placed on their once amateur status. She was looking forward to a nice break but unfortunately her reward came far too quickly in the end.

If you are a parent of those countless kids who led Leinster out onto the RDS or Aviva you will know the values Anne brought to the culture of Leinster, the warmth of her interaction with the kids, in awe, transfixed by the arriving Leinster captain with outstretched hand, before embarking on the short walk onto the pitch. For Anne, this small step for the mascot was a giant leap for Leinster, its culture and its future.

She, like others in the four provinces involved in both schools and youths, must have taken some pleasure in the Christmas matches where 103 players took part in the Irish derby games.

Yes, with 15 starting each game their coaches chopped and changed and flooded the benches, meaning where 60 players started a total of 103 took part. What an opportunity for Irish players (blended with quality imports) to engage in quality matches many of whom came through Anne and others.

Potential culling

These 103 players face next week’s potential culling from the top table of Europe but with Castres in free fall in the Top 14, Leinster have little to worry them in the RDS. Ulster, already struggling, head to Toulon’s Stade Félix Mayol for pride and momentum with Connacht’s brilliant run corralling them into a big quandary; which competition gets priority?

Hence, Munster is the massive fixture next weekend where they face Saracens in Allianz Park at the most awkward time of 1pm. So, your homework is to sit down this evening and watch Gloucester entertain Saracens in Kingsholm Stadium.

Similarities

Why? Because there are similarities between Gloucester and Munster and Gloucester have already pushed Saracens close with the 28-21 result last October. However, of even more importance to the shape of Europe is tonight’s game in the Sportsground where a strong Connacht entertain Edinburgh in a crucial match on TG4.

Anyway, back to getting things done. Yes, Leinster’s various chief executives have solved problems but when it came to ironing out delicate ‘issues’ (or sourcing tickets) there was simply no one better than Anne to dig this old soldier out of a hole. A true legend that I very much enjoyed, who helped me above and beyond the call of duty, was warm, engaging and a most lovely dancer. I can’t remember who asked who, but we enjoyed a slow one on the floor the night of the Leinster Rugby Awards Ball some years ago.

Anne is a wonderful window into the heart of professional sport; Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam – sleep well Anne; ‘Fidelitas in Arduis’ – faith in hard times.

I wonder with so much at stake over the coming months what would keep Anne happy. An O'Connell Cup (3rds), survival in Division 1A, Guinness Pro 12, European Rugby Champions Cup, 6 Nations Championship or Rugby World Cup?