Cardiff is the latest club to tread the well-beaten path to the door of Shannon and Munster's promising young flanker, Alan Quinlan. Two senior officials from the Welsh club were in Limerick yesterday hoping to entice Quinlan to the Principality. London Irish have already offered the former Clanwilliam flanker a contract reputed to be worth £35,000. Cardiff's offer is reported to be even more lucrative. Harlequins have also expressed an interest.
The Welsh club discovered Quinlan's ability at first hand, when the player enjoyed high-profile performances for Munster against Cardiff in two European Cup ties, the first in Cardiff and the second at Musgrave Park.
Cardiff's manager, the former Welsh international Terry Holmes, cited Quinlan as an outstanding prospect, and the club have now decided to cement their interest with a firm offer.
Originally overlooked by Munster when contracts were being distributed at the beginning of the season, Quinlan was subsequently offered a part-time deal, worth £7,500, which the team management sought to upgrade.
Their efforts were successful, negotiating a full £25,000 contract, but by the time that they secured an agreement with the IRFU, London Irish's £35,000 offer was on the table.
Quinlan cherishes a national squad contract, not necessarily of greater financial remuneration than those from Cardiff and London Irish. Irish team manager Pat Whelan and coach Brian Ashton are expected to discuss several new contracts this week.
Unfortunately, despite wanting to remain in Ireland for another 12 months, Quinlan may not secure one. He will be competing alongside the St Mary's College quartet of Kevin Nowlan, Conor McGuinness, Trevor Brennan and John McWeeney, and Dylan O'Grady (Sale) and possibly Reggie Corrigan (Greystones).
The IRFU have already conceded several expensive clangers in terms of contracts handed out and are not keen to repeat that largesse to players who may be culled from the squad within a matter of weeks or months.
Quinlan does not represent that type of risk, but with only a few contracts to distribute he may simply lose out to expediency and the need to strengthen other positions within the squad.
The upshot, and a real threat, is a decision to venture across to Britain, a move which ultimately best serves neither the player nor the IRFU.
The union gave a commitment to the clubs that they would ensure that, when within their compass, they would stifle the exodus of young talent to England, that they would compete with the lure of the chequebook.
The player's present predicament offers an interesting test case, though, assuming Ashton is as taken with Quinlan's attributes as are his other suitors.
The player's future should be decided by the weekend.
