- Munster’s fixtures for the run-in to Guinness PRO14
- Craig Casey gets the call as Ireland name their 6N 36
- The ‘Clueless Munster’ tag hits a nerve locally
- Late try snatches likely victory away from Munster
- Classic derby game beckons as teams are named
- Tension mounts as local clubs feature in second last fence of Munster Junior League 1
- Impressive win for Clonmel on UL pitch keeps them on title target
- Will Joe Schmidt ring the changes for the Scottish game?
- Cancellations a-plenty as Munster Junior Cup gathers momentum
- Henshaw at full-back not really a gamble as Ireland name their team
- Ian excited about exploring new horizons as he plans two moves
- Nine local clubs in Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup action this week-end
- UL Bohemian and Thomond advance in the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup
- Abbeyfeale lift the Transfield Cup for the first time since 1977
- Young Munster facing battle to avoid the drop
- Munster fight hard for victory in Rodney Parade
- Bonus point for Garryowen as Shannon fail to build on recent form
- AIL: Shannon win, Young Munster and Garryowen lose today in 1A
- AIL wins tonight for Old Crescent in 2A and Thomond in 2C
- John Ryan for Archer the only change on the Munster team
- Key Euro games for referees Neville, Clancy, Brace and Lacey
- Frank Quinn’s review of the final pools games of Heineken Cup
- Decent Munster representation on Ireland Six Nations squad
- English clubs’ wretched record at Thomond Park: 21 defeats, 2 wins
- A Newcastle view as their side fails to get winning bonus point
- Is the Transfield Cup final to take place in the Markets Field?
- Defeat for Richmond today dents their junior league title hopes
- Brave Garryowen’s late strike gives them ticket to Bateman decider
- Munster march on towards another home Heineken Cup quarter final
- Munster and Gloucester announce their teams for to-morrow night’s game
- All to play for as Munster Junior League division one hots up
- Garryowen keen to avoid their third successive cup defeat
- Munster’s Ian Keatley seems set to join Benetton Treviso
- Leinster are still the favourites to retain the Champions Cup
- Thomond and Bruff advance in cup: Newcastle drop league points
- Munster superb as they hold on for bonus point victory
- Munster’s away form will again be tested in the Showgrounds
- Munster Senior Cup retains its magic as Garryowen seek more glory
- Leinster’s winger James Lowe is suspended for two weeks
- Local referees are included in Guinness PRO14 week-end fixtures list
- St Mary’s, Thomond, Newcastle West, Bruff in league and cup action
- Brilliant Earls try seals victory over Leinster
- Young Munster romp home with comfortable Charity Cup win
- 12 changes as Munster prepare for another Thomond Park epic
- Frank Murphy to referee Munster v Leinster PRO14 fixture
- Full house for Munster and Leinster showdown at Thomond Park
- Christmas 2018 marks a record year for Limerick Rugby website
- Ulster happy with home win while Munster settle for single point
- van Graan makes 13 changes for visit to Kingspan Stadium
- Rallier and Kockott are suspended after commissioner citings
The ‘Clueless Munster’ tag hits a nerve locally
- Updated: 24/01/2021
By Aidan Corr
ONE of my prized possessions is a 1,200 page English Dictionary which my father used to good effect during his lifetime as a Master Printer with Frank Corr and Sons, The Crescent, Limerick. It provides an accurate assessment of every word in the English language so, it was from this tome that I discovered that the correct meaning of the word ‘clueless’ was ‘without trace.’ More modern dictionaries would describe the word as ‘not having a clue’ and this latter meaning would, I expect, have been the intention of this week-end’s Sunday Independent when they described Saturday’s Munster performance against Leinster.
By now players will have been informed if they will be part of the Ireland squad for the upcoming games in successive Saturday’s against Wales and France. Many of those selected may be from the Munster and Leinster camps and head coach Andy Farrell, seated in the stand in Thomond Park on Saturday, would have made his mind up on the squad selection before he bedded down that night.
My wife has a fair interest in rugby and would probably name the bulk of the certainties, but we want to see new blood in the Irish squad, players like Gavin Coombes and Craig Casey. Leinster’s Hugo Keenan is getting rave reviews and looks a certainty and Ross Byrne ensured his inclusion with an impressive display when he replaced Jonathan Sexton on Saturday. There is not much Andy Farrell can do. He has to choose from the four provinces and it appears that the ridiculous decision to rule out the inclusion of top class Irish players plying their rugby trade abroad like Simon Zebo and Donnacha Ryan will continue during his reign.
Oh yes, where was I? Ah, the word ‘clueless.’ The full headline in the Indo read: ‘Clueless Munster lack the guile to unlock old rivals.’ I had to read it a couple of times to try and understand it. The Munster and Leinster game provided terrific entertainment and was enjoyed by a massive tv audience. It was hard fought by two sides who had only winning on their agenda and who fought for victory right up to the final whistle. It warmed the hearts of tv rugby fans on a freezing January night but to describe one team as ‘clueless’ was hardly flattering.
For those who did not see the piece, the final paragraph read: “The pressure is back on Johann Graan as his one-dimensional side have no idea how to beat Leinster, even when the game is there for the taking. Maybe the weakest link is in the coaches’ box.’ Ouch!!
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