Last season Munster had to go on the road to Glasgow, Dublin and Cape Town to secure their first silverware since 2011. This season an excellent run of games in 2024 made up for the rocky start to the season as the injury profile improved. With selection headaches to consider and especially opting for an impactful bench, Munster went on a run of 9 straight wins, 8 of them coming with bonus points, including both at altitude. With other results going our way for Leinster and Glasgow in South Africa and Belfast, it is a fantastic achievement to finish the normal season on top of the table. Home advantage secured in the playoffs for potentially three more games set Munster up well to defend their title. We saw last year how Glasgow, Ulster and Leinster all lost at home in the quarter / semi-finals so home advantage alone does not guarantee anything. It looked like the Lions would provide the quarter final opposition but Ospreys bonus point win propelled them into the top 8 so they will come to Thomond on Friday. Not an ideal day for travelling supporters but the winner will have an extra days rest before taking on the winner of Glasgow v Stormers.
Another sunny day with a 5.15 kick-off meant the East side was basking in sunshine, having to shield their eyes to follow the action while the west was in the shade. It was a treat to be selected as flag bearers for the guard of honour as the teams enter the pitch. As you cross from the west terrace towards the east side you really notice when you leave the shelter provided by the west stand as the flags catch the breeze. The MRSC choir performed the anthem and seemed to get an extra warm send-off as they walked off the pitch before the players emerged, as news of their disbanding has been circulating. Their contribution over many years is appreciated.
The game was a lot tighter than I had expected but the bench impact made a big difference. Credit to John Ryan packing down at loosehead for the first time since 2016! The bench provided the impetus to turnaround the half-time ten point deficit. An incredible scoreline given Munster had secured 7 points in the first 7 minutes through the long arm of RG and the boot of Jack but did not score again in that half while Ulster added two tries and a penalty kick to take a 7-17 lead into the break. That was despite their late disruption as McElroy and McCloskey were late withdrawals followed by early injuries to Treadwell and O’Connor for Ulster after just 5 and 18 minutes, respectively. The Munster lineout had a few malfunctions, passes did not go to hand, needless penalties were conceded, a penalty kick missed touch, possession given up cheaply from a maul… nothing major in itself but added up to a frustrating half. There were some glimmers though; a super break by Nash up the east wing, lovely handling and offloading at times but not on the scoreboard.
A penalty kicked to touch led to a maul and hooker Rob Herring scored and Cooney converted. A few minutes later an offside gave John Cooney an easy penalty kick which he took to make it 7-10 after 22 minutes. An unfortunate injury to Rory Scannell led to Jack moving to centre and Joey to outhalf.
An excellent skip pass set Jacob Stockdale clear before he chipped and chased his own kick. Shane Daly got back to touch it down as the clock ticked to 40 minutes. Jack kicked the restart straight out but as Munster had carried the ball over the line that was not allowed giving Ulster a 5m scrum. Another penalty conceded by Munster was tapped and eventually it was David McCann who crossed the line. John Cooney converted to make it 7-17 at the break.
The heat from the flames as the players returned for the second half was not as welcome as during the cold winter nights! Ulster looked likely to stretch their lead but uncharacteristically Cooney’s penalty hit the post and Munster were quick to counter-attack through Daly before play went out to Zebo and O’Brien. Half of the bench was launched at the next break in play – Jager, Ahern, Coombes and Hodnett brought fresh energy and the tide started to turn. Playing with the freedom of penalty advantage from a strong scrum Munster went on the attack. A trademark gallop down the touchline by Tom and nice interplay between backs and forwards; some breath-taking pop passes to Sean, to Oli and another to Gavin all kept the ball alive and the defence scrambling before Craig’s long cut-out pass to Calvin took advantage of the space available. The conversion was successful to reduce the deficit to 14-17. It is well worth watching the try unfold in the highlights video below, a true team try.
However Ulster responded almost from the restart through a fabulous break by Cormac Izuchukwu. Matty Rea finished well to score and Cooney converted to restore the 10 point lead 14-24. Munster responded immediately, this time Shane Daly finished the score after another long pass from Casey off a break by Joey. The conversion from the opposite side posed no problem for Jack to make it a three point game 21-24.
A penalty kicked to touch in the 69th minute – we all knew what was coming. Tadhg secured the lineout and the maul formed. Conor, Jack and Shane added their weight and the hooker Eoghan Clarke got the all important try to put Munster back in front to the delight of the home support. The conversion came back off the post leaving the game delicately poised entering the final ten minutes 26-24
An excellent kick by Joey looked to bring Munster into the Ulster half but the assistant referee insisted it had crossed the line nearer to the Munster 10m line to the disgust of the crowd. When the Ulster lineout was not straight justice was done as Munster were awarded the scrum. With John Ryan, Eoghan and Oli leading the charge the Munster scrum was dominant, winning another penalty. Munster were effectively playing with 14.5 as Tom Ahern was limping badly. The update on Monday was that he is out of action for the next few weeks – a big loss as he has featured so often this season and is currently the leading try scorer with 6. Joey also picked up an injury but hopefully it is not too serious as he is another in good form.
Another penalty won was put between the posts by Jack to give Munster more breathing space at 29-24. Ulster won a penalty in the 79th minute to have a chance to sneak back in front but they could not capitalise and it was a relief to hear the final whistle. A very entertaining second half which gives the team some work-ons this week to prepare for the quarter final and ensure they make home advantage count.
The team came back to salute the crowd after applauding off Ulster. Zeebs with his characteristic smile, is enjoying his game as much as ever despite announcing his retirement. He will be missed, his energy, infectious humour, skills, the chants of his name, his trademark Z hand-sign… His record speaks for itself and his tally of 72 tries may never be surpassed. A most remarkable feat when you consider his 3 seasons at Racing 92 and international commitments (35 Ireland caps) prior to that. He has a special bond with the youngsters in particular. The opportunity to extend for another year must have been tempting but he will bow out on his own terms in top form. Maybe he will have an opportunity to add to his record before this season ends and we will hear again the chants of “Zee-bo, Zee-bo” in the coming weeks around Thomond Park.
Speaking of records and tightheads it would be remiss not to call out Stephen Archer who breaks the most appearances record with every game and is not finished yet!
MUNSTER: Simon Zebo; Calvin Nash, Seán O’Brien, Rory Scannell (Joey Carbery, 36), Shane Daly; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey (Conor Murray, 70); Jeremy Loughman (John Ryan,, 61), Niall Scannell (Eoghan Clarke, 61), Stephen Archer (Oli Jager, 50); RG Snyman (Tom Ahern, 50), Tadhg Beirne (capt); Peter O’Mahony (Gavin Coombes, 50), Alex Kendellen (John Hodnett, 50), Jack O’Donoghue.
ULSTER: Stewart Moore; Mike Lowry, Will Addison (Aaron Sexton, 59), Jude Postlethwaite, Jacob Stockdale; Billy Burns, John Cooney; Eric O’Sullivan (Andy Warwick, 53), Rob Herring (Tom Stewart,, 59), Tom O’Toole (Scott Wilson, 67); Kieran Treadwell (Harry Sheridan, 5), Alan O’Connor (capt) (Matty Rea, 18) (Dave Ewers, 65); Cormac Izuchukwu, David McCann, Nick Timoney.
I came across the below on YouTube and here are some newspaper reports Indo via MSN and RTE.ie and IrishTimes
The promo video for the Supporters Club features many of the regulars on the west terrace including yours truly while young John was the true star, taking it all in his stride.
More photos taken on the day can be seen at https://www.facebook.com/wtview/
WTView: Observations of a Munster Rugby Supporter 
Definitely a nervy game with all the mistakes in the second half. I always knew being a derby it was not going to be easy but credit to the Munster players their heads never dropped and they won. Ospreys might be sticky this Friday especially with our injuries from the Ulster game but fingers crossed for the W
For sure Roisin. It’s one game at a time now and selection headaches all around given how well the bench have played.
dankjewel 👍👍👍🍐🍐🍐