Magnificent Munster men
THERE will be little rest for Munster's magnificent stars this week with the international players joining the Irish squad at the Pennyhill Park Hotel in Surrey on Wednesday to prepare for the trip to Wellington in New Zealand on Saturday night.
Ireland play the All Blacks in the Westpac Stadium in Wellington on Saturday week, June 7 and Australia a week later in the Telstra Dome in Melbourne with at least seven of the victorious Munster side expected to be involved.
Despite their return flight being delayed last Saturday night, a tired Munster squad did not disappoint the 2,000 who had waited at Shannon Airport to welcome them home.
"Have ye no homes to go to?," a smiling Declan Kidney asked as a rousing cheer rose up from the packed terminal building's check-in area.
"You came here in 2000 when we lost to Northampton and you were back again two years later. In 2006 you gave us a brilliant welcome home and you are back here again tonight," said the Munster coach, "what can I say? Tonight is very special and you are the best supporters in the world."
Responding with "we love you Declan, we do" the fans were then addressed by skipper Paul O'Connell: "The passion and support shown to the team has been amazing.
"It is now after 2am and you are still here celebrating with us. Thanks for your support, we really appreciate it."
There was a surprise for the red clad throng when O'Connell announced that Dougie Howlett wanted to sing a song.
The New Zealand star burst into two verses of Stand Up and Fight after which a supporter shouted out, "you should represent us in Eurovision Dougie. You'be be better than that turkey."
Joining the team high up on a specially prepared reception area close to the upstairs restaurant, were squad members who did not make the 22 for the final, wives and girlfriends of the players, relatives and friends.
Co-ordinating the highly-successful reception were Niall Moloney and John Fielding of the airport staff assisted by security and gardai. Fans had assembled at the airport arrivals area from 10pm with many waiting over three hours for the arrival of the team.
Scores of local fans were stranded at Welsh ports last night when high winds threw sailing schedules into chaos.
With seas expected to remain rough for the next 24 hours some may not arrive home until later tonight.
Munster's win on Saturday, their second Heineken Cup success in three seasons, is perfectly timed with Declan Kidney, Jim Williams and Anthony Foley moving on. For the French it marks a third disappointment in less than 12 months. As hosts of the World Cup their national side failed to reach the final, they lost their RBS Six Nations to grand slam winners Wales and Toulouse's defeat by Munster marks only four Heineken Cup victories for French sides in 12 seasons.
Ireland, minus their Munster players, play the Barbarians in Kingsholm in Gloucester tomorrow night.
Michael Bradley, an outsider for the Munster coaching job, has named an experimental side for this tie with Bob Casey of London Irish returning to the second-row alongside Malcolm O'Kelly and a back-row of Shane Jennings, Stephen Ferris and Jamie Heaslip. Luke Fitzgerald partners Brian O'Driscoll in the centre.
Ireland: Rob Kearney; Shane Horgan, Brian O'Driscoll, Luke Fitzgerald, Tommy Bowe; Paddy Wallace, Isaac Boss; Bryan Young, Rory Best, Mike Ross; Bob Casey, Malcolm O'Kelly; Stephen Ferris, Shane Jennings, Jamie Heaslip. Replacements: Bernard Jackman, Tom Court, Ryan Caldwell, Neil Best, Frank Murphy, Jonathan Sexton & Girvan Dempsey.
Meanwhile the Irish Women's team finished third in the FIRA European championship in Amsterdam thanks to a 22-22 draw with France in their final game. UL Bohemians had five players in the starting 15.
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Weather for Limerick
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
