It’s a clever term and the subject of why Leinster-born rugby supporters opt to sign up to the beliefs of the Red Army has fascinated thousands this week through contributions to dozens of internet message boards and discussion sites.
A whopping 16 pages of contributions had been received on the subject on the always lively forum section of the munsterfans.com website alone.
Mind you, the debate has also been fuelled by a number of fascinating newspaper articles on the subject too.
The key question is why would a Leinster-born rugby fan opt not to support Leinster. There is a major divergence of opinion on the subject.
One of the well-balanced explanations on the subject came from ‘RugbyBug’: “I am from Dublin (D12 (Dublin 12)- Southside), but I am a Munster supporter.
“Firstly I only got into rugby about seven years ago after meeting my other half who is from Limerick and who has been a life long supporter of club, Munster and Ireland rugby.
“After being introduced to the game itself, the culture and having attended Munster games and having craic with the fans and so on I gained a better understanding of the whole phenomenon. Consequently it has me ruined!
“I work in the heart of D4 (Dublin 4) and proudly display my Munster paraphernalia (some have referred to it as a shrine) on my work station. Some of my colleagues describe themselves as Leinster supporters yet they won’t go up the road to the grounds or attend a match at the RDS! They only go to a Leinster match that they view as ‘significant’ such as the upcoming semi final. Last Sunday I got a text off one of them straight after the Leinster vs. Harlequins match saying it looks like Munster will be at the final again as they will hammer Leinster.
“Now I know that this is more than a distinct possibility but I was struck by how as a so called supporter he had given up on his team already. A real supporter sticks with their team come what may.
“Unfortunately, I have had one or two Munster supporters give me hassle about being from Leinster and supporting Munster. One man in particular gave me a load of grief in O’Neill’s in Cardiff after a match. I asked him did he support soccer and he confirmed he did.
“I asked him what team did he support and he told me Manchester United. I pointed out that wasn’t from Manchester so what’s the difference? He backed down. On the whole, Munster supporters are welcoming and friendly bunch who don’t really care where you are from as long as you are supporting Munster.
“Munster Rugby is unique. There is an honesty and camaraderie that you just don’t get with other teams in terms of both supporters and players. Going to a Munster rugby match is an experience rather than simply attending a match.”
Another contributor, ‘Mack 05’, said supporters from outside the province were drawn to support the Munster team because it is such an integral part of the community.
“I think the era of professional rugby the Munster ‘Phenomenon’ caught on far quicker then the Leinster support. Obviously success has a lot to do with it. The journey Munster took to get to a Heineken cup took in a lot of neutral fans from Leinster/Connaught.
“GAA supporters from Counties outside Dublin, some tend to support Munster as they probably feel a stronger connection to the Munster team. The Munster team is a lot like a GAA team in ways, except on a larger scale. Its such an integral part of a community, a large community at that. I feel now all counties in Munster play a vital role in the team.
“While the support base is growing in Leinster, it’s still known as D4 (Dublin 4) and the stereotype that goes with that. I don’t think that’s true anymore, but I believe at lot of fans look at Leinster still like that. Fans from outside Dublin just don’t feel the same connection to the team as fans around Munster do.
“Success is a huge factor too.”
But just to show that there are many who remain ‘true blues’, here’s what ‘Point’ had to say on the subject.
“I just cannot fathom the ‘Lunster’ psyche. I’m a Dub living and working in Limerick with wife and teenage daughters born, bred, educated in Limerick etc etc.
“But I will be Leinster (in a head-to head with Munster) until I shuffle off my mortal coil, no matter how often or how badly we get stuffed.”
Roll on Saturday!
Three years on
THREE years can certainly be a long time in the life of a professional rugby player. When Munster defeated Leinster in the 2006 Heineken Cup semi-final at Lansdowne Road, the Leinster replacements’ bench that day included two current Munster players.
Centre Kieran Lewis, who lined out for Garryowen in their AIL semi-final defeat by Shannon last weekend, and flanker Niall Ronan, were both included in Leinster’s Match Day 22.
Twenty eight-year-old Lewis made seven appearances for Leinster in their 2005/’06 Heineken Cup campaign.
Lewis scored a try in the Lions 33-20 away win over Glasgow warriors in the pool stages of the competition.
Niall Ronan, likely to be on the Munster bench for Saturday’s big Heineken Cup semi-final showdown with Leinster at Croke Park made one appearance for Michael Cheika’s side in their European campaign three season ago. Twenty six-year-old Ronan was introduced as a replacement in the 46-22 home win over the Warriors.
Interestingly, two players who were members of Munster’s squad at the time of the clash with Leinster three years ago are now members of Leinster’s extended squad.
Stephen Keogh was included in Munster’s Match Day 22 for the game, while Trevor Hogan was also a member of Declan Kidney’s squad.
Quinlan cousins
IT certainly was a terrific few days for the Quinlan cousins last week.
Munster star Alan was selected on the Lions squad to tour South Africa, while Shannon club captain David led his side to a thrilling AIL Division 1 semi-final win over old rivals Garryowen at Coonagh. Following the win, number eight David Quinlan paid tribute to his cousin’s resilience.
“I am delighted for Alan,” David Quinlan said.
“In fairness to the guy, he has had a lot of bad breaks throughout his career. It is nice to see something go his way. He well deserves it. He is delighted and so are all the family.”
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