By Mark Jones
DUBLIN — Munster’s magnificent obsession is alive. The Holy Grail of rugby’s European Cup could now be realized following Saturday’s memorable victory over French club Castres which sets up a mouth-watering final against reigning champions Leicester.
With all planes, boats, trains and hotels already booked out for the decider in Cardiff, Wales, on May 25, Munster have reached a second European Cup decider in three seasons and the determination to put the agonizing 2000 defeat behind them burns stronger than ever.
The odds were against them in the semifinal. It was a scorching hot day in the southwest of France. The Beziers venue favored Castres, who had to make a short journey down autoroute. And there were injuries to key forwards Anthony Foley and Jim Williams. Munster had to dig deep for yet another triumph on foreign soil, which was witnessed by 8,000 supporters who traveled from all points in Ireland.
If the game wasn’t a thing of beauty, it was marked by the sort of physical intensity normally reserved for gridiron. The fallout from the teams’ previous meeting last January, when Munster accused Castres player Ism’lla Lassisi of biting Peter Clohessy, and when Castres responed by accusing Clohessy of making racist comments, hung in the air. But for the most part both sets of players kept their discipline.
“It wasn’t hard to get up for this game,” coach Declan Kidney said, smiling. “There was only way to answer what had gone on.”
Sign up to The Irish Echo Newsletter
Clohessy, for his part, saw this as a much better performance than in January.
“We had a point to prove after all their cribbing and calling us liars and cheats,” he said. “That made it all the sweeter.”
There were heroes everywhere. Ronan O’Gara had 20 points from six penalties and a conversion. Paul O’Connell put on a world-class display in the second row. Donncha O’Callaghan came on early for the injured Foley and dominated. And, of course, both Mick Galwey and Clohessy once again provided the experience and the inspiration.
This uncompromising contest was in the balance until injury time, when wing John Kelly broke through for the insurance try, a score that sparked off an explosion of singing among the red hordes. If Munster’s quarterfinal success away to Stade Francais had been an achievement, this win was its equal.
“They’re absolutely brilliant,” said Kidney, paying tribute to the Munster supporters. “We do it for them, and in the past when we’ve lost, there’s never been a moan.”
Ireland’s leading province will be the underdog going into the final against Leicester, which will be no bad thing, according to Clohessy, who will be retiring afterward.
“It’s probably a better opponent for us mentally,” he said. “Winning a European Cup medal in my last game would be lovely.”
Trailing by 9-0 after 35 minutes, Munster hit back with two O’Gara penalties just before the interval, and three more kicks by the out-half early in the second half put the winners in control. It was 18-12 to Munster going into added time when Kelly latched on to Jason Holland’s kick ahead to race around beside the posts for the crucial try.
All rugby roads now lead to Cardiff. Someone had better remember to turn off the lights in Limerick and Cork on the last weekend in May.
Munster: D. Crotty; J. Kelly, R. Henderson, J. Holland, A. Horgan; R. O’Gara, P. Stringer; P. Clohessy, F. Sheahan, J. Hayes, M. Galwey (capt.), P. O’Connell, A. Quinlan, D. Wallace, A. Foley. Subs: D. O’Callaghan for Foley, 16 mins.; M. Horan for Clohessy, 70 mins.; M. Mullins for Henderson, 80 mins.; J. Staunton for Holland, 80 mins.