Things can change so quickly and dramatically in sport.
This time last year Munster were playing their final home game in the Champions Cup with yielded a 26-13 victory over Stade Francais.
Of course, Munster were already out of the running for qualification for the knock out stages after suffering back-to-back defeats to the Leicester Tigers and an away loss to their French opponents a week previously.
The official attendance that day was 18,884 although in reality the figure was lower than this due to the absence of a significant number of season ticket holders.
That loss to Stade Francais a week previously will be remembered for the criticism handed out by Alan Quinlan who was clearly emotional to see his beloved team exit the competition without so much of a whimper.
Transport yourselves to 12 months later and Munster have secured qualification to the knockout stages with a game to spare, in a much more difficult group it must be said.
This was a stunner https://t.co/xwHDie5wjc
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) January 14, 2017
Quinlan was speaking on Sky Sports in the aftermath of Munster’s hard-earned victory over the Glasgow Warriors and he recalls that time where he famously criticised his former team:
“They deserve massive credit, you go back 12 months ago and I stood in the studio with you and I had real crack off Munster. The way the organisation was going, the way they were playing…I questioned their desire. Some people agreed, it was an opinion. I’m sure the players didn’t and I separated myself from being the former player and from being close to some of those guys, Quinlan said on Sky Sports.”
Quinlan then goes on to praise the players for the way they have performed this season under unprecedented and extenuating circumstances.
“The players deserve credit but I still stand over most of what I said, it was very emotional after the game for me. We lost a true friend in Anthony in October and that affected everybody. They’ve had to carry that emotion and go out and play and I’ve nothing but respect for them.”
Munster’s epic rise this season does have a lingering sense of sadness attached to it, however.
Much of Munster’s success this season has been based around the pillars in which Anthony Foley had strongly encouraged in his Munster team.
Dominating your opponents physically, a strong set-piece, an unwavering defence and being clinical in the opposition’s 22.
Munster’s performances this season would undoubtedly have filled Foley with pride and Quinlan touches on the sadness surrounding the Munster legend’s absence.
“The sad part is that Anthony isn’t here to see this. It wasn’t a perfect performance but it was full of passion, heart, commitment…..they’re the kind of values you want in a Munster jersey.”
You can watch the full interview with Quinlan in the link below.
WATCH: Alan Quinlan hailed Munster's 'massive turnaround' after they qualified for the Champions Cup quarter-finals: https://t.co/ODavP3JFoT pic.twitter.com/rOcHUVkMq7
— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) January 14, 2017
