IT WAS a throwback to the old days when Munster bullied the opposition up front. At Musgrave Park last night, this was a pretty awesome performance from the twice Heineken Cup-winning club, who found strength in areas their critics would not have believed impossible a couple of months ago.

PAUL O’CONNELL was yesterday renamed as Munster captain despite being ruled out of action for the first half of the season.

MUNSTER manager Shaun Payne has backed the province to bounce back from their Heineken Cup elimination in Sunday’s crucial Magners League clash with the Blues at Cardiff City Stadium.

PAUL O’CONNELL and Keith Earls remain major injury concerns for Munster ahead of the Heineken Cup semi-final clash with Biarritz in San Sebastian on May 2nd.

MUNSTER chiefs are confident that Lions pair Paul O’Connell and Keith Earls will be fit for Saturday’s Heineken Cup quarter-final with Northampton Saints.

MUNSTER will pick from close to a full deck for Friday night’s Magners League clash with Leinster at Thomond Park.

DONNCHA O’CALLAGHAN is the only member of the Irish team that started Saturday’s Six Nations defeat to Scotland included in Munster’s squad for Friday’s Magners League game with Glasgow at Thomond Park (8pm).

MUNSTER manager Shaun Payne last night admitted the province face a ‘difficult’ task in finding a replacement for Jean de Villiers due to the looming Rugby World Cup.

IT’S a pity those who bemoan the demise of the club game weren’t in Dubarry Park on Saturday afternoon.

RONAN O’GARA is the only one of Munster’s senior internationals included in the squad of 27 announced yesterday ahead of Saturday’s Magners League game against Connacht at Thomond Park (7.30pm).

INTERNATIONAL referee George Clancy was scratched from the Christmas card list of many a Shannon player and supporter after his handling of the final stages of Saturday’s gripping AIB League clash at Coonagh.

MOST of the drama was crammed into the final few minutes of this AIB League 1A derby at Musgrave Park on Saturday.

MUNSTER winger Ian Dowling is set to play his first match of the season when the A team takes on Ulster in Belfast tomorrow.

MUNSTER are hopeful Paul Warwick will be available to take his place at out-half when they begin their defence of the Magners League against Glasgow at Firhill on Friday night, (8pm Setanta Sport).

MUNSTER’S youngsters, with a little help from some seasoned campaigners, turned in an impressive performance and secured a deserved win over Leinster in this A clash in Waterford yesterday.

LESS than a month ago in a vital promotion clash, these two sides locked horns with Young Munster perhaps lucky to prevail 3-0 in the Mardyke.

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

A FIRST-HALF try by Presentation Brothers College winger Simon Zebo all but decided this exciting Avonmore Milk Munster Schools Senior Cup final at Musgrave Park yesterday.

SCOTT DEASY’S staggering 69th-minute conversion from the right touch line and into a fierce crosswind saw Presentation College emerge victorious in this Avonmore Milk Munster Schools Senior Cup semi-final at Dooradoyle yesterday.

LEINSTER bid for the U-20 Interprovincial title at Dubarry Park, Athlone tomorrow (4pm) in a must-win game against an Ulster side who have won all three games so far.

PBC 6, CBC 3

Crescent Comprehensive 5 Presentation College 19

HOLDERS Ard Scoil Rís remain on course for a second Coca Cola Munster Schools Junior Cup after yesterday's hard-fought 12-8 semi-final victory over Presentation College at Dooradoyle.