The thousands of Ospreys rugby supporters who descended on Limerick at the weekend for their Heineken Cup quarter-final showdown with Munster were lavish in their praise of the hospitality they received on Shannonside.
Despite the fact that hundreds of Ospreys fans who travelled to Limerick by ferry and bus got little or no sleep on Saturday or Sunday nights, they were quick to make their feelings known about their experiences of their visit to Ireland’s.
Below is a sample of just three accounts from Ospreys fans which were posted on the munsterfans.com website this week. ‘Phil In Merthyr’: “The welcome we got in Limerick yesterday was the best I’ve experienced in an away trip. Before the game and after the game the Munster supporters were superb.
“There was no gloating at the stuffing you gave us and the reception we got while being given a police escort on the three buses out of Limerick, so we could avoid the traffic to get back to the ferry, made us feel like royalty as you stood and clapped us as we passed.”
‘Osprey Steve’: “Yeah, awesome team, (Munster) awesome supporters. Had a great time in Clohessy’s pub and when I asked bloke next to me why he was shouting for ‘Quins, he said: ‘More chance of a ticket’. Locals in Limerick were quality as well and couldn’t have been more helpful. Anyone know when the date for the ml (Magners League) game v us is confirmed, as I will be back. Good luck in the rest of your games (unless you meet Cardiff ) tho’ the way you played yesterday, no one would have stopped you.”
‘Leap Osprey’: “My daughter and her friend said exactly the same thing. True rugby supporters, the world over, behave in this way!
“This is what sets our game apart. As I met my daughter off the bus in Swansea at 2:30 this morning (Monday), 2 Munster supporters also got off this Ospreys-organised trip. I thought at the time that this sums up the true spirit of the game. Rugby is truly an international language. “Well done, Munster and good luck for the next two games!.”
Hammered
While the Ospreys of supporters seemed to enjoy their visit to the mid-west - apart from the result, obviously- their team took a bit of a hammering in the Welsh press.
Andy Howell’s report in the Western Mail was stinging in its criticism of the Ospreys.
These are some extracts from it: “Heads must roll at the Ospreys following their humiliating exit from the Heineken Cup yesterday. Don’t be deceived by this scoreline, which was a record defeat for a Welsh region at the knock-out stage of the European showpiece - they could have lost by more! . . .
“Of the eight possibles who could make this summer’s Lions tour of Australia only two - Ireland star Tommy Bowe and Wales prop Adam Jones - emerged with their reputations intact yesterday. . .
“On and off-the field, the hosts showed the Ospreys the way to go, playing with freedom and confidence.
“Even the pre-match entertainment for the capacity 26,000 crowd at a magnificent, rebuilt stadium was sensational.
“It put the Ospreys or, for that matter, any of the Welsh regions to shame with live bands and a choir.”
Match tickets
Finally, the desperate search for a match ticket ahead of Sunday’s tie at Thomond Park resulted in one middle-aged supporter making the long walk through Thomondgate a full two hours before kick-off carrying a sign.
It read: “Bald and Ticketless.” The sign certainly got noticed by passing motorists and walkers alike who saw the humour in it. I wonder did the support succeed in getting a ticket in the end? He deserved one for his creative streak alone.
Trevor Halstead
Speaking of Munster, could one of the province’s former centres make a dramatic return to high profile action for the Sharks in their clash with the Lions this summer in South Africa?
Trevor Halstead, never-to-be-forgetton by Munster fans after his try-scoring exploits in the 2006 Heineken Cup final, is one the comeback trail.
The 32-year-old former Springbok centre recently played his first game in two years for the Sharks XV in the Vodacom Cup.
The six times capped 105kg centre, who spent two seasons with Munster, retired from professional rugby in 2007.
However, the 32-year-old gave a solid display in his comeback game for the Sharks’ Vodacom Cup team against the lowly Eastern Province Mighty Elephants.
Halstead formed a formidable midfield partnership with Andries Strauss in the Sharks XVs 68-6 demolition of their opponents.
The winners ran in 10 tries, 9 of which were converted. The Sharks XV maintained their winning ways to clinch a home quarter-final in the domestic tournament.
The Lions face the Sharks in Durban on Wednesday, 10 June, although Halstead will have to battle with the Super 14 players for a place in the side to meet the tourists.
However, with the Sharks flying high in the Super 14 table at present, it might well be that a number of the leading players could find themselves involved with the Springbok squad at that time.
Watch this space!
Meanwhile, current Munster centre Keith Earls has made a strong late push to become a surprise inclusion in Ian McGeechan’s Lions squad to tour South Africa.
Twenty one-year-old Earls bagged a brace of tries in Munster’s demolition of the Ospreys at Thomond Park, including a terrific 65th minute effort when he defied both opposition scrum half Mike Phillips and gravity to score in the left corner.
Despite his relative lack of experience as full international level, Earls has made a strong case for inclusion in the 35 or 36-man squad which will be named by coach Ian McGeechan at the Heathrow Hotel on Tuesday next.
Munster coach Tony McGahan agreed Keith Earls had made a strong case for inclusion with his recent eye-catching displays for Munster.
“We said after the Six Nations that we would hope the 12 players who represented Ireland would have every opportunity of being selected in the Lions squad, as well as a few smokies,” Tony McGahan said.
“Keith Earls has certainly put his hand up.”
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