Behind the scenes of any great victory there are countless silent figures who move, wordless in public but vocal in private. Vital building blocks upon which the success of a team depends. Each contribution, no matter how small, can be the difference between an All-Ireland medal and a wound to lick at the end of a year.

So when you have a legend of Irish rugby - a Grand Slam and Heineken Cup winner - at your disposal, you are wise to put him to full use. And that is exactly what Michael Ryan did with Denis Leamy.

Congrats also to Denis Leamy, part of Michael Ryan's backroom team — Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) September 4, 2016

Leamy came on in the pressure cooker atmosphere of the Millenium Stadium (when Stephen Ferris dislocated his finger) in Ireland's Grand Slam decider against Wales in 2009 and had the performance of his life. So it is fair to say he knows all about dealing with the big occasion.

Back in July Ryan spoke to Tipp FM about the importance of Leamy to the backroom set-up of his side, hailing him as "an absolute winner" who was "a very good influence" on the players.


He’s one of our own. We were delighted to welcome him. He’s a breath of fresh air, coming from a different sporting background and yet a lot of the same trials, tribulations, experiences. His experience is at the highest level in both club and international rugby. He’s just a great guy and a great ambassador for Tipp.

Captain Brendan Maher was another to single out Leamy for special mention - revealing that the Tipp players would "quiz him about stuff on rugby or his own playing days, the experiences that he had, what it was like in the Heineken Cup final or what it was like playing for Ireland" and that Leamy was "only a phone call away" if any of Maher or his team-mates ever needed the lend of an ear.

Former Tipp (and now Dublin) hurler Ryan O'Dwyer also name-checked Leamy during the week as a key component in the Tipp setup, opining that his "professional attitude" would make a big difference.

Leamy's involvement with the Tipp panel wouldn't be the first time that a figure known for expertise in a different code has assisted with a GAA outfit - Bernard Dunne with the Dublin football side and Brian Magee with the Antrim footballers are two other examples that spring to mind.