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Question Time with Jerry
By Jerry Flannery
Over the course of my career with Connacht, Munster and Ireland I have taken part in lots of interviews with journalists. The media as an industry is like everything else, there are some good people and some bad people (or pricks as they are often known) Luckily for me, the press have always been pretty kind in my dealings with them and I feel I have always tried to be honest with them in return. So today, as Ant O’Dwyer, the CEO of the Pig ‘n’ Porter Festival has asked me to contribute to the festival’s programme, I am going to try a little experiment. I am going to try and see just how tough a job these lads in the media have had and I will try interview myself. I promise to make this an interesting and hard-hitting interview that pulls no punches in pursuit of the truth. So come with me now as we travel along a path of self-improvement, discovery and learning.
Me: Jerry, Nice to meet you, how’re things?
Me: Come at me Bro! Just kidding, humour’s a big part of my everyday life. Right now I’m really just taking it easy. I’m really chilled out and sound.
Me: That’s fantastic. Jerry, you recently retired from professional rugby after an amazing career in which you won two Magners Leagues and two Heineken Cups with Munster along with three triple crowns and a grand slam with Ireland as well as a selection for the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa. How’s the transition been from rugby to the real world?
Me: Wow, I really was a seriously successful bastard when I was playing. I guess I was really lucky to play with so many great players. The transition has been weird but I’m really relishing the next phase of my life.
Me: Yes, it’s strange but you’re still a relatively young man at 33 years old to be retired. It’s even stranger as you don’t look a day over 25 years of age.
Me: Ha ha ha, well thanks very much, I’ll take whatever compliments are going but I think there aren’t many lads playing past their mid thirties so although I went prematurely I’m very grateful for the time I had. With regards to my looks I suppose I’m fortunate to have a good skincare routine and that’s probably what has seemed to halt the aging process. It probably won’t last forever though ha ha (lol!)
Me: Jerry, if you don’t mind me saying, you’re in great nick. You obviously haven’t stopped hitting the gym since retirement. I know this is a bit embarrassing but what’s your body fat these days and what kind of numbers are you shifting in the weight room? Sorry, I’m just a bit excited to meet you…
Me: Its cool man, relax. Yeah my body fat is down to 0.43% at the moment but I’m hoping to get it to 0.0% in the next few weeks. With regards my strength scores nothing too major, a 220kg bench and a 400kg squat, standard enough for me. I enjoy the buzz in the weight room and although I can no longer inspire people on the rugby field I feel very strongly about my position in the gym as a role model, particularly for disadvantaged kids and weak people.
Me: Whoa! Those are some pretty superhuman weights you’re shifting! By the way your bodyfat seems to have decreased since we’ve started the interview.
Me: Yeah, I have a pretty high metabolism alright, that’s why it’s important that I take in a lot of protein throughout the day.
Me: Jerry, you seem to have that enviable quality of universal appeal to both sexes. Men want to drink with you and be your friend whilst women want to be with you. You’re a bit of a pin up boy. What’s your secret and is there a lucky lady in your life?
Me: I’m just an ordinary guy. It’s really important to me to stay true to myself and stay real. I listen to a lot of Tupac. With regards to the pin up boy tag, it’s not something I’ve ever really been comfortable with and yes I do have a lady in my life, her name’s Katy and we’re very happy together thanks.
Me: Well I’m sure there’ll be a lot of disappointed girls reading this now!
Me: Sorry Bro, that’s life.
Me: Moving on, Jerry or can I call you “Fla”?
Me: “Fla” is fine with me mate, work away.
Me: Cool, you really are bang on. Anyways, Fla, I know you don’t like to talk about it publicly but a little birdy told me you do a huge amount of work for charity. Would you mind outlining some of this please?
Me: Look, I’m not here to blow my own trumpet. I do a massive amount of charity work and contribute lots of money to the needy but I don’t like going into detail as I feel it’s a bit crude.
Me: Ok, that’s fair enough, but I think its worth saying I was at the Limerick Animal Welfare Dog show in the peoples park in Limerick last Sunday the 8th of July and I personally saw you give up your time to judge “The Best Doggy in Limerick” and the response from the community was incredible. I just want you to know we all think you’re an incredibly selfless hero, and we thank you.
Me: That’s nice, now drop it or I’ll get angry.
Me: Yes Fla. Sorry to go on a bit. Anyways, you’re a busy man these days with the pub and you’re business interests online. What inspires you to be so rounded and hardworking?
Me: Well, I guess I was born into the pub business because my dad had it and since I’ve taken over I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. I work with a great team in there and I like a drink myself so it’s a good fit. With regards to the online stuff JOE.ie and Her.ie, I wanted to challenge myself to try and create something to fill what I felt was a big niche online. The feedback has been phenomenonal and there are 20 fulltime jobs created, happy days!
Me: It’s like you’re fighting the recession all on your own there brother!
Me: I’m just one man trying to make a difference Brah.
Me: Well, I think it’s more than fair to say that you more than any other man have had a huge influence on shaping this country and I just want you to know that personally I feel very hopeful for the future knowing there are guys like you out there.
Me: Cheers Brah, your words are humbling.
Me: Jerry or “Fla”, thank you very much.
Me: Go raibh maith agat, Slán.
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Originally Posted by Taran
