As Munster were defeated by Leinster in the Pro14 Final on Saturday evening, Alan Quinlan reflected on a "worrying" loss for his club.
Despite the obvious one-sidedness of the rivalry in recent years, there was some feeling pre-match that there could be an upset when Munster and Leinster came together in the PRO14 Final.
Without fans in the ground and Munster's ability and willingness to pick a starting XV closer to the best they have available, it was thought, perhaps, that Leinster may not win this competition for the fourth year in succession.
In the end, a 16-6 win for Leo Cullen's side scarcely did justice to what was a fairly straight-forward win.
"It's a really worrying performance," conceded Alan Quinlan, "[and] it is hard to kind of process it all very quickly, but it is concerning and the psychological impact this will have."
The sixth time in succession that Leinster have gotten the better of Munster, a new record, Quinlan went on to wonder what his native club will do next.
Just how much of a missed opportunity was today for Munster? 🔴@AlanQuinlan1, @bernardjackman and @StephenFerris6 talk through it all 🗣
"I don't know if they really believe they can beat this Leinster team at the moment." 👀 pic.twitter.com/NV0S1YyhWv— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) March 27, 2021
Speaking on Premier Sports, Quinlan, twice a Heineken Champions Cup winner with Munster, reflected on the direction the province are going.
"I'd love nothing more for this team... since I've retired to create their own legacy," he suggested, Quinlan announcing his retirement from rugby in 2011.
"But you've got to put up or shut up, and they didn't. Again, talk is cheap."
Crediting Johan van Graan's Munster with improving throughout the season and showing some strong performances on the way to Saturday's PRO14 final, Quinlan nevertheless wants more.
"Maybe it is time now to make a bit of change and bring in some more young fellas," he said. "At least [then] if you're going to lose they'll learn from those losses.
"Look, I don't think it is complete doom and gloom here... [but] I think for the Munster fans it will be worrying and frustrating because there was that bit of optimism."
Speaking to OTB Sports, Alan Quinlan has previously spoken at length about the province's up and coming stars.
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