Across The Gain Line . . . with Colm Kinsella

WHEN Munster star Denis Hurley scampered over for his first ever tries in the province’s colours during Saturday’s dramatic come-from-behind win over the Scarlets, the cheering could be heard all the way back to Corbally.
The versatile Hurley repeated his Leaving Certificate at St Munchin’s College in 2002-03 and the experience of attending one of rugby’s most famed nurseries had a profound impact on the soon-to-be 25-year-old.
During his time at St Munchin’s, Hurley, who was born in Meath and initially played his rugby with Navan RFC, loved to attend Munster matches at Thomond Park with his classmates.
In January 2003 Hurley and his school mates had decided that they were simply not going to miss Munster’s crucial home Heineken Cup tie against Gloucester.
But the teenagers became victims of the ticket frenzy which swept the province that winter. Undeterred, the enthusiastic bunch made their way to Thomond Park.
Pat Cross, the backs coach to the St Munchin’s Senior Cup side in 2002-’03, recently explained: “A few of the guys from the senior team, including Denis Hurley, were determined to be at Munster’s Heineken Cup match with Gloucester.
“So they jumped over the wall at Thomond Park in order to see the game. I know from talking to Denis subsequently that the memory of that day was the highlight of his time with us in St Munchin’s! The occasion obviously made a big impression with him.”
The game Hurley and his school mates witnessed at first hand became known as the ‘Miracle Match’, the day Munster ambushed Gloucester 33-6, scoring four tries and pipping the English giants for a place in the knock-out stages of the Heineken Cup.
Just five seasons later, Hurley was preferred to the vastly experienced Shaun Payne to fill the full-back spot on the Munster side which faced Gloucester in the Heineken Cup quarter-final showdown at Kingsholm. And Hurley, who made his debut for the province against the Scarlets at Stradey Park in May 2006, went on to win a Heineken Cup medal in Cardiff in May 2008.

Sports book coming thick and fast
‘TIS the time of the year when new sports books are coming at us thick and fast.
The rugby market is extremely well served this autumn with the likes of Grand Slam: How Ireland Achieved Rugby Greatness in the Players’ Own Words and Eddie O’Sullivan’s Never Die Wondering to mention just two.
The latest offering about to hit the shelves is the eagerly anticipated ‘Lion Man’ the autobiography of British and Irish Lions head coach, Ian McGeechan.
To co-incide with the publication of the book, Munster Rugby has announced ‘An Evening with Ian McGeechan’ will be held at Thomond Park Stadium on Friday, October 16 next.
Tickets for the event can only be won on www.munsterrugby.ie, www.munsterrugbysupporters.com, through the Munster Rugby Store and local media.
The event will be hosted by former Munster, Ireland and Lions great, the former Lions Manager Donal Lenihan.
The audience on the night will be invited to put questions to ‘Geech’ himself and hear the inside story of the 2009 Lions’ tour to South Africa when Limerickman Paul O’Connell captained the side.
Coinciding with Munster’s first home Heineken Cup pool game of the season against Benetton Treviso on the following day, Saturday October 17, Munster Rugby are giving rugby fans the opportunity to kick start their rugby weekend in the presence of renowned coach McGeechan. This event is open to competition winners only, with no tickets on sale.
A gala raffle will take place on the night, with a signed Lions jersey and tickets to Munster v Benetton Treviso amongst the prizes up for grabs.
Copies of ‘Lion Man’ will also be available for purchase at the stadium on the night.
For more details on how to win tickets to this event, see www.munsterrugby.ie and www.munsterrugbysupporters.com