Flannery Retired

Shocking news. I wasn't at all aware it was as bad as this? Or did people know it was coming?

http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/25942.php

Had absolutely no idea, a bit shocked by this to be honest.

Real shame, wish him the best of luck. Maybe there should be a 'sticky' list of players who've had to retire through injury, lest we forget, sort of a 606v2 Roll of Honour. Seem to be more and more recently. When you think about it these guys smash themselves week in week out purely for our entertainment. Glum.

Carpe Diem wrote: these guys smash themselves week in week out purely for our entertainment. Glum.

In Flannerys case wasnt iit usually the opposition with varying degrees of legality?

Sad to think of anyone getting a career ending injury and suffer ongoing problems though.

What a pity. A real war horse of a player, real battler.

On the plus side, he poors a great pint

A man that never shirked from putting his body on the line

A great short clip of what he brought - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HsleEP7p4A

Skills not a gym monkey.

I heard warning signs months back. I kinda knew it was coming. He's just an all or nothing guy - and if you can't give your all, time is up.

Wish him well in his retirement. Another addition to the family run Munster coaching unit in some capacity?

Secretfly - I suspect he wont really get involved in top end coaching.

We've all known this was coming so its not a massive shock but I think he's been putting more energies into his business than into coaching. Doesnt strike me as interested type barring schools and grassroot coaching.

I dont know stag, i think that we may see Jerry at Munster in some sort of capacity. He has always been a very good ambasador for Munster and did often make trips to schools so he may well continue that.

I certainly hope so. I dont personally like Flannery but he is a great ambassador for the team. I suspect he will be more used like that rather than in coaching the Munster side.

Yeah, i cant see him as a coach myself but i would be suprised if he stopped doing his school visits and the like.

Why dont you like him? I have always found him to be quite genuine, a little arrogant but pretty much a genuine person.

I've met him a number of times - didnt warm to him.

He will definitely continue his school visits I know he's a very proud Munchins man.

I have also met him several times. He can rub people the wrong way at times. My brother cant stand the guy and would walk out of a room if he walked in but i quite enjoyed chatting to him.

Yea different strokes for different folks. I meet a lot of players through work and I find I get on very well with some than others would like.

Flannery is one of those lads who can easily rub people up the wrong way. Suppose its all about context of things.

Yep, perception is a very individual thing isnt it.

Anyways, i wish Jerry the best for the future

Interesting. I mean the little stuff about personality.

Is Wallace a really nice man?................. just maintain silence if not, as I don't want my illusions about him shattered by the grim truth.

Davey is a tremendous man, really a great lad Fly. One of those people you just enjoy being around

Here here. Its the one retirement that Munster and Ireland will oddly enough not miss as he has been injured for so long.

Mike Sherry at Munster will relish the chance of battling Damien Varley for the #2 shirt while for Ireland we will see Cronin, Best and maybe even Strauss and dont rule out Sherry after the Lions tour fighting for the spot.

a late bloomer with a relatively short career at the top level.

a very good player in this period though and a real touch of the nutter about him. Every pack needs one of them.

Wallace is a gentleman Fly.

I was asked would I be involved refereeing a schools composite match the day after the HEC quarter finals two years ago (Munster v Saints). I was giving out as it meant no booze.

I turned up at the club at 9.30am for the 11am kick off to find David Wallace and Keith Wood were the "celebrity coaches". Wallace had played an 80 minute HEC knockout match the night before and no bother was walking around signing autographs, taking photos with kids and giving pep talks to the teams. A really lovely man.

So are you going to name more of the rotters? That's the fun bit....

Delighted to hear that about Wallace guys.

Cardiff Taffy wrote:So are you going to name more of the rotters? That's the fun bit....

I think we might be able to accurately guess a handful without too much assistance.

Great player, shame that injuries have caused him so many issues. He would have had a great shot at the Lions in 2009 but for injury, but I'm sure his Ireland and Munster successes will mean he looks back with great pride.

Shame he's had to retire through injury, but I didn't see him carrying on for much longer to be honest. Wish him all the best for whatever he chooses to go on to do.

A little more of what he offers.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRScolLa8QE

I can honestly say that I've never seen a player pull off something like this

Now now Irfon we know thats not typical of him, hes much better known for stuff like this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czKQVvisVA0

PSW, you really are slipping into the grumpy old man phase of your life arent you

This still makes me laugh

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ixx279WXLY

I loved De Fla as a player. Old school and never took a step backwards. Hard basterd but a great player.

Enjoy it biy. I'll be down for a pint soon.