Jerry Flannery
Club / Province:	Shannon / Munster
Position:	Hooker
Date of Birth:	17/10/78
Height:	1.8m
Weight:	102Kg
Honours:	36 Ireland caps

When Frank Sheahan sustained a serious neck injury meaning his 05/06 season was a complete write-off, Jerry Flannery stepped up and seized his opportunity with both hands. Scintillating form with Munster saw Flannery called into the Ireland fold where he earned his first senior cap against Romania by coming on as a replacement in 2005. His first senior start for Ireland came against Italy in 2006, an occasion he marked with a superb try. Strong in the scrum and quick in the loose, Flannery is a very dynamic player. A serious shoulder injury, which required surgery, saw him sit out a good part of the 05/06 season although he has now bounced back in emphatic style to guarantee a battle royal for the number two jersey.

Flannery's excellent form continued throughout Ireland's 2008/9 Grand Slam season where he was ever-present in the Irish front row. His form earned him a callup to the 09 Lions tour, however a training ground injury ended his involvement in that tour. He made a full recovery and started for Ireland in the 2009 November Autumn Test series.

A calf injury had plagued Flannery and saw him miss a chunk of the Munster season ahead of the Six Nations campaign in 2010. Flannery started against Italy and France in the six nations, however he was cited for a clumsy trip whilst playing against France and his punishment saw him sit out the remainder of the tournament.