Munster Homecoming Limerick 2008

Thousands lined the streets of Limerick City today to welcome back the European Heineken Cup for the second time in three years after their famous victory over Toulouse at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday .There was a civic reception at the Limerick Civic Hall ,followed by a victory parade on an open top bus which made it’s way through Athlunkard Street ,by King John’s Castle ,Thomond Bridge ,Clancy’s Strand ,over Sarsfield Bridge ,Henry Street and finally to the Stage on O’Connell Street. Up to 40,000 cheered on their heroes as they made they way on to stage to  conclude a remarkable journey from the group stages which had Clermont Auvergne ,Llanelli,Wasps ,a Quarter Final win v Gloucester away, a semi final win away to Saracens and to a final win in Cardiff  v the superpower of French Club Rugby Toulouse.

Presentations were made to the Munster Players who will leave the squad after this season ,Shaun Payne ,Jim Williams (who returns to Australia ),Shannon’s Mossie Lawler,John Kelly and Anthony Foley.

To conclude the day the large crowd was treated  to a rendition of the Haka  by the three All Blacks  Doug Howlett , Rua Topoki and Lifiemi Mafi,It was a joy to behold and received great applause to the chants of “Munster ” Munster”.

“Stand up and Fight” blasted from the larger speakers as the crowd drifted away and made for home ,for many others the parties would continue in the local pubs ,most notably FLA’S  owned by Jerry Flannery who would join in the celebrations…The next outing for the team is a welcome in the Southern Capital Cork on Tuesday night.

See The 2006 Homecoming in my videos …. 

Limerick 1-08 Tipperary 1-05 Munster Senior Football Championship

Limerick are through to to the Munster SFC semi-final to face Cork after a deserved win over Tipperary in Fermoy yesterday. Limerick will have to up on this performance if they are to match Cork in their next outing, but a win is a win, a much need one at that after a mediocre league campaign which promised so much.Tipperary led by 1-04 to 1-00 at half-time. Limerick’s greater experience told in the second half against a very young Tipperary side who seemed to depend so much on Barry Grogan who has taken over Declan Brownes mantle. Mickey Ned O Sullivan will be happy to have overcome this tricky fixture which allows him and his backroom team to concentrate on facing the rebel county in the semi final.

 

LIMERICK: S Kiely; D Carroll, J McCarthy, S Walsh; P Browne, S Lavin(0-1), P Ranahan; T Cahill, J Galvin; S Kelly(0-1), J Ryan, S Buckley(1-01); K O’Callaghan (capt), D Phelan, I Ryan(0-03).Subs used: G Collins for O’Callaghan (33 mins), M Crowley(0-1) for Collins (42), G Collins for Phelan (54), J Cooke(0-1) for Cahill (59), S Gallagher for Carroll (64).

TIPPERARY: P Fitzgerald; A Foley, M Peters, C McDonald; P Codd, R Costigan, N Curran; K Mulryan, E Hanrahan; P Johnson, B Jones, D O’Brien; S Carey, S Grogan, B Grogan.Subs used: L Coskeran for Curran (15 mins), P Austin for Jones (28), N Fitzgerald for O’Brien (44), G Hannigan for S Grogan (58), E Kearney for Johnson (69).

 

Magnificient Munster European Rugby Champions 2008

Paul O Connell with the Heineken European Cup at Shannon Airport 2am

Munster captain Paul O’Connell added: “I think it is more satisfying than last time. “We have an incredible bunch of people and you feel a pressure when you wear the jersey which is so special to all of us.”It was tough campaign and it is just incredible.

Video : Munster in Shannon Airport returning with the Cup.

Munster are the 2008 Champions of Europe after an epic battle with Toulouse in Cardiff yesterday with a 16-13 win over the European Superpower of Rugby Toulouse.