Horgan bounces back from adversity

Adversity often reveals more of the man. Anthony Horgan had largely been a first choice with Munster for nine seasons, but that came to a shuddering halt last December.

That change in status could be traced back to the international between Ireland and New Zealand at Lansdowne Road the previous month.

The Cork-born wing endured a difficult afternoon, making a couple of high-profile errors, but the low point was probably being caught from behind by All Black second row Jason Eaton.

In a recent interview, Horgan recalled: "I caught a stray pass, off an intercept, kinda fended him off once and he came back. Looking back, I should have booted the leather off it. Obviously I got a roasting after it. I didn't think I was the worst player on the field and I still say that. To be honest, it was a dip in form and it started there."

Ireland were thumped 45-7, but he would be the only casualty in terms of team selection.

His confidence eroded, mistakes crept into his performances culminating in a three-month "sabbatical" from provincial rugby after the Leinster defeat in the Celtic League at the RDS. Horgan rebuilt his reputation playing with Cork Constitution in the All Ireland League, and also realised he needed to work harder at his game.

Munster coach Declan Kidney urged him not to bow his head, and Horgan was grateful for the support that helped him climb from the trough.

"I've known Deccie since my school days and I can speak to him better than most fellas. I could speak my mind. He emphasised the positive, as did my parents, and that was important in terms of getting my head round what I needed to do."

Horgan took his place in the West Stand alongside his girlfriend, Jackie, for the European Cup quarter-final between Munster and Perpignan. He found it excruciating to watch and after just 10 minutes excused himself and headed to the back of the stand where he stood watching the match on a bookies' screen.

"It was almost a despair in the sense that I couldn't watch the game live, but found it just about bearable to look at it on a television screen. I desperately wanted to be out there on the pitch. It reinforced my desire to work harder in training."

A lengthening injury list provided a chink of light, as Horgan was handed the number 14 Munster jersey for a Celtic League game against Edinburgh eight days before the European Cup semi-final against Leinster. His return wouldn't necessarily warrant the Hollywood treatment, but the prodigal son had returned.

He started the Leinster match and enjoyed a couple of big moments that cast aside the shroud of disappointment. His upturn in fortunes should be confirmed with a place on the wing for Munster at the Millennium Stadium.

It should be his third European final but, having played in the narrow defeat by Northampton, he missed out on the Leicester decider after suffering a freak injury in training in the build-up to the match.

Saturday really can't come quickly enough in a season which Horgan hopes won't end any time soon. He's a big soccer fan - Manchester United if you want to know - and went along to watch Cork City beat Shelbourne this week. It's about getting out of the house.

He also has his hands full with his four-month-old puppy, Jake, who is threatening to shred the contents of his house. The game is rarely far from his thoughts.

"There's nothing different in the build-up (compared) to the other two finals. The pressure will build as the week goes on, and I suppose a little more so in that we have twice come close in finals.

"We probably should have won against Northampton but didn't quite play well enough, and Leicester were the better team in that final. Biarritz are a superb team, but the focus for us is on what we can do. It's about us imposing our game on them.

"When you get to a final you can almost touch it, and that exaggerates the emotions of winning and losing. We want to win it as individuals but more importantly as a team and as a province. If we did you'd probably find that some guys would retire," he laughs.

It's about attitude, character and ability and if these are the barometers then Horgan's recent tribulations should stand him in good stead.