Flannery happy to switch role to further Ireland’s cause
U20 Six Nations
Daire Walsh
He may be an out-half by trade, but for now, Jake Flannery is content with life at full-back in the Ireland U20 set-up.
After playing a starring role for Noel McNamara’s side in last week’s stunning 35-27 success against England at Musgrave Park, Flannery is hoping for a similar result when they meet Scotland at Netherdale on Friday (7.30pm).
“It’s something I’ve worked on for a few weeks now. It’s different, but there are a lot of similarities. I get in at first receiver a good bit and the kicking [is similar]. The other bits I’m just working on every day,” Flannery remarked yesterday. “If my job for the team is to play out-half then I’ll do that to the best of my ability. But if they want me to play full-back, I’ll do that as well.”
In much the same way that Harry Byrne has benefited from his time in the AIL with Lansdowne, Flannery has also developed his game at Division 1A outfit Shannon. He has featured for the Limerick men on their return to the top-flight, where he first got a taste for playing in a back-three.
“I played a few games for Shannon at full-back and really enjoyed that. The coaching staff there, between Tom Hayes and David O’Donovan, brilliant. The amount I’ve learnt, it’s crazy.”
As a chemical engineering student in UL, Flannery has to achieve a balance between college and sporting life. However, this is something that is second nature to the Tipperary native. “In fairness to my Mam, she was always pretty good to make me study. It was always about getting a bit of balance between sport and the study, and the social side too. You have to get your balance,” Flannery added.