Alan Quinlan has warned Munster not to get distracted by the sentimental undertones to tomorrow's Pro12 final against Glasgow Warriors in Belfast.
Speaking on Off The Ball ahead of the match, which will see Paul O'Connell, Paddy Butler and Sean Dougall making their final appearances, the former Munster back-row expects the team to concentrate on the task at hand.
"It is important you don't get distracted and don't get too sentimental about it. It's a ruthless business now, professional rugby and both sides will have to keep their eye on the ball and particularly from a Munster point of view I'm sure that's what Paul O'Connell will be saying to the team," he said.
Munster's Denis Hurley and Josh Strauss of Glasgow Warriors with the Guinness Pro12 trophy©INPHO/Dan Sheridan
Quinlan also expressed his surprise at last week's announcement by O'Connell at Thomond Park.
"I was surprised last week about the goodbye in Limerick. It said it all when he walked on the field at the end and said afterwards that it's probably his last game. It's typical of the man himself that he didn't want to have any fanfare around it," he said.
Quinlan also noted plenty of progress at Munster even if they do not beat Glasgow tomorrow.
"It is doom and gloom if they don't win it. It wouldn't be viewed as a successful season unless they won the Pro12. That's a bit harsh. They've been very consistent since [going out of Europe] and they have brought through a lot of players, and they have had some very positive performances," he said.
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