GERRY THORNLEYtalks to the impressive Connacht hooker who is looking forward to capping a good season by testing himself against the All Blacks

EARLIER THIS week David Wallace asked Seán Cronin how old he was. When told 24, Wallace couldn’t believe it: “You’ve been around a long time,” he ventured, perhaps mindful of the first time most of the outside world saw Cronin play. It was the 2006 AIB League final at Lansdowne Road, when an inspired Cronin looked like a young Keith Wood in chasing down a winger from behind.

That was John Muldoon’s first sighting of him as well, and when then involved with Cronin in the Churchill Cup side of two seasons ago initially he was struck by how raw he was.

“He had a lot to learn,” reflected Muldoon, who has been staggered at how much Cronin has improved his game, and primarily his darts, even if is there is room for further improvement.

But Muldoon likens him to both Wood and Marcus Uijs, a superbly dynamic ball-carrying hooker from South Africa who played with Connacht, though he reckons Cronin has a bit more speed and is as quick as any back in the province’s set-up.

Two caps, one as replacement against Fiji and one against Wales, so this is his first start for Ireland – the All Blacks away, a nice handy one. But the way he sees it, that makes it even more a gilt-edged opportunity for him.

“This is the kind of place you want to be. It’s going to be an intense atmosphere out there but if you can try and impose yourself on these types of games you’re going to be putting a major hand up and giving selection headaches,” he reasons.

“With the two lads (Jerry Flannery and Rory Best) gone now, Deccie has given me my chance and it’s up to me to put my best foot forward. I’m really looking forward to it, even though you’re up against the best players in the world, but you just want to test yourselves against these fellas.”

Aside from having two caps he has been in the match-day 22 on six other occasions. After exposure to professionalism and more game time, exposure to training with the likes of Brian O’Driscoll, Paul O’Connell and Ronan O’Gara has, he says, “opened my eyes”.

A Limerick boy from “ a rugby mad” family, he first began playing underage with Richmond, where his father John played outhalf, before his uncles on the other side of the family encouraged him to join Shannon when he was 13. His dad “pushed me all the way” and encouraged him to join Connacht. “He comes to every game and has been a massive influence on my career.” His mother Noelle also comes to all the games.

The oldest of four boys, next-in-line Colm is a rower, while the youngest is Liam. And in between there’s Neil, who captained Castletroy College to the Munster Schools Junior Cup last year and is a scrumhalf. “I must have been quickest to the dinner table,” laughs Cronin, echoing the old Paul Wallace line.

Shannon were the makings of him. “It’s a great club to be a part of it, it’s really community based. While playing for their under-20s, Jerry (Flannery) got his opportunity with Munster so Mick Galwey brought me up to the seniors.”

Already training with Munster that season, he was sensational in Shannon’s win over Clontarf in the final at Lansdowne Road. Two seasons followed in the Munster academy but, reasoning that Flannery, Frankie Sheahan and Denis Fogarty were blocking his way, he joined Connacht.

Cronin will line up against the haka and the All Blacks as a proud son of Richmond, Shannon and Connacht.

“It’s brilliant that myself and John are in the team. John epitomises everything good about Connacht ruby, and anything we can do to raise up the profile of Connacht the better. Even coming into the Toulon match, the profile seemed to just treble. Ultimately success will drive on a club; look at Munster ten years ago, so hopefully we can push on.”

He is ready for this test after his couple of seasons with Connacht. “Dan McFarland is a tremendous coach, real thorough and precise in scrummaging; he’s very precise. You just don’t pick up that stuff in the AIL, no disrespect to it.”

In this week, of all weeks, Cronin can now reflect on his decision to join Connacht two summers ago (he has another year on his contract since) as a good career move.

“It was a tough decision and I had to ask myself hard questions. ‘Am I going to go up there and give it my best shot?’ I’m happy that I did and it’s worked out well for me. I’ve been asked in relation to other players and I’ve just said it’s a personal choice. You’ve to sit down and ask yourself these questions and be true to yourself. I’m just lucky that it’s worked out,” he concluded.