There wasn't a wake-up call for Ross Molony, more an understanding that to be happy with what he made of his career he had to get to another level.
The second row has been a regular fixture in the Leinster set-up for almost seven years but it is the last 24 months that he has become a prominent part of Leo Cullen's plans.
With that has come recognition from Andy Farrell, with a call-up to the Ireland camp last summer, although a hoped for first Test cap didn't materialise.
