HAVING read so much of the coverage of Munster’s Heineken Cup quarter-final win away to Gloucester, I am at this stage a little mixed up as to who said what but I am nearly certain that it was Ronan O’Gara who came up with the following insight that caught my attention.
I can’t remember it word for word but the essence of it was that he was asked about the Munster fans and why the atmosphere is so totally different than it is at Irish games. His reply was simple. They care, he said. It means so much to them.
Lots of people go to Irish matches to be entertained and aren’t too put out if ‘their’ team is beaten. This I have seen at first hand.
With Munster it’s different, totally different. They travel all over Europe in their masses, pay big money (that’s an issue for another rant) to do so and always seem to outsupport and usually outnumber their opponents.
Paul O’Connell also commented on the fans by saying that they always make a difference to the performance of the team. How many sets of supporters can make a similar boast.
But it’s very much a two way thing. This Munster team play the way fans love. Everyone of them gives it every last ounce of energy that they have and no stone is ever left unturned in pursuit of glory.
As a fan you can ask no more of ‘your’ team than that. On top of that there is a real bond between Munster players, management and the players. Supporters and players meet on the streets of Cork and Limerick, in shopping centres, at the cinema in restaurants, for a pint after the match.
Because these are normal men, not overpaid soccer players who hide themselves away. They are of the people and that’s why such a remarkable bond exists.
But it goes beyond that. You listen to any of Sky Sports experts and they all love Munster. There is just something in the way they play and the support that draws everyone in. Long may it last.
WATERPARK
Staying on rugby, this week is a huge one for Waterpark as they playoff with Cill Dara to try and save their senior status, this Saturday in Ballinakill at 2.30pm. They deserve your support.
DE LA SALLE
Best of luck to the De La Salle hurlers on Saturday when they take on Thurles CBS in the All-Ireland Colleges final in Nowlan Park. Go and do the two in a row lads.
