The men who fought alongside and against Paul O'Connell have their say on the big man.

It was jersey day yesterday at the school which must surely hold a claim to the title of Kerry GAA football nursery.

The Kerry midfielder combines a potent centre-field cocktail of brain and brawn — the latter turning him into a genuine engine-room force, writes Mike Quirke

It’s attention to detail that makes Ireland a bit special, writes Kieran Shannon.

Munster target their 100th European Cup victory at Allianz Park, the home of Saracens, tomorrow — and do so as underdogs: writes Charlie Mulqueen.

Following Munster's heartbreaking defeat CHARLIE MULQUEEN picks 10 Munster matches that stand out most during the history of the competition.

Munster rugby legend Mick Galwey believes Anthony Foley would have to leave the province to progress if he is not given the lead role following Rob Penney’s departure.

They may have been key cogs in the pack during his first spell at Munster, but Alan Quinlan, Mick Galwey and Peter Clohessy are all adamant that Declan Kidney should walk away from his role as Ireland head coach at the end of the Six Nations.

Rumours of his demise were grossly exaggerated and, to prove the point, Fungi the Dolphin is preparing to flip his way to a new level of stardom on the silver screen.

A candle flickered and a green and gold Kerry flag billowed gently in the breeze as people came to pay their respects at Con Houlihan’s monument in his native Castleisland.

Mick Galwey last night paid a glowing tribute to Munster’s Mick O’Driscoll whose retirement after 15 years as one of the country’s most consistent second-row forwards will be announced in Limerick today.

Rory Best achieves two impressive milestones today against Scotland.

DOUBTING the quality of the players lining out for Toulon in this afternoon’s Heineken Cup game against Munster at Thomond Park would serve no useful purpose.

MUNSTER and Ireland stalwart Mick Galwey last night credited Moss Keane, who died yesterday, as one of the key inspirations behind the province’s remarkable European success in the professional era.

KEITH EARLS looks set to make a timely return for Munster in this Saturday’s Heineken Cup showdown with London Irish at the Madjeski Stadium. With fellow backs Felix Jones and Ian Dowling on the long-term injury list and Lifeimi Mafi suspended, the return of Earls is good news for Munster coach Tony McGahan, who named the versatile Irish international in his extended squad yesterday.

ICONIC former captain Mick Galwey is to join Munster’s management team on a full-time contract.

A CORONER presiding at an inquest into the deaths of two young men in an horrific car crash in Co Kerry yesterday called for a change in the law and the possible introduction of speed limiters for young drivers.

ROCKWELL COLLEGE, one of the traditional powerhouses in the game for more than a century, and Castletroy College, who have burst on to the scene in sensational fashion over the past few years, clash in an intriguing Avonmore Milk Munster Schools Senior Cup semi-final at Clanwilliam Park, Tipperary this afternoon (3pm).

A WITNESS yesterday described the scene of a fatal car crash, in which two young Kerrymen died, as an inferno.

Mick Galwey has given his backing to Alan Quinlan ahead of the Munster flanker’s disciplinary hearing in Dublin tomorrow.

SATURDAY’S rugby didn’t start and end with Ireland and the All Blacks. It wasn’t quite as physical on Murríoch beach in Dingle for the tag rugby, but Brian O’Driscoll and Paul O’Connell didn’t have to contend with encroaching tides either. Michael Moynihan reports.

FORMER Munster and Ireland international Mick Galwey has stepped down as Shannon head coach after a successful four-year reign at the Limerick club.

Blackrock College 9 Shannon 12

Former Munster and Ireland rugby captain Mick Galwey is backing Declan Kidney as the best man to succeed Eddie O'Sullivan as Ireland rugby coach.

YET to make an appearance in a red jersey, Doug Howlett has already secured the approval of Munster legend Mick Galwey.

SHANNON coach Mick Galwey had stern words for his troops despite a 14-points AIB All-Ireland Cup victory at the Mardyke on Saturday.

Lansdowne 19 Shannon 45

SHANNON’S renowned spirit has rarely been seen to greater effect than at Clifford Park yesterday when they overcame a strong Cork Constitution side and the handicap of playing the last 20 minutes with 14 men to advance to the ODM Munster Senior Cup final.

On the opening day of the new All-Ireland League season, Charlie Mulqueen talks to Shannon legend Mick Galwey about his hopes and fears for club rugby.

SHANNON and Garryowen look in good shape ahead of the new AIB League season next weekend.

GARDAÍ will analyse the phone records of murdered drug dealer David ‘Boogie’ Brett.

Shannon 31 Dungannon 0

THEY may lie marooned at the bottom of Pool Four, without so much as a point to their name, but the Bourgoin threat should not be underestimated on Sunday, according to former Munster captain Mick Galwey.

IT’S seldom Shannon players are left with the feeling of having been “mugged” at fortress Thomond Park, but this was one such rare occasion.

GARRYOWEN winger Ciaran O’Boyle left his calling card with Shannon and a gentle reminder for Munster coach Declan Kidney with a three-try tour de force at Thomond Park on Saturday.

ALL IRELAND league champions Shannon brace themselves for a huge battle of wits against old rivals Garryowen in today’s Division One clash at Thomond Park.

Long before the thousands jumped onboard the Heineken Cup bandwagon, a hardy few followed Munster rugby in good times and bad.

Clontarf 3 Shannon 30

Victorious Shannon coach Mick Galwey found it hard to put words on his side’s 21-20 semi-final win over their Limerick rivals Garryowen this afternoon.

EVERY cloud has a silver lining but the old adage hardly looked appropriate on February 5th, 2000, after England had inflicted a humiliating 50-18 defeat on the Irish rugby team at Twickenham.

Shannon 33 UL Bohemians 3

IRELAND and Munster have suffered a huge blow with the news that Paul O’Connell has been ruled out for up to 10 weeks.