Couple torn apart over crunch match

FOR rugby-mad Kathleen and Ralph Hole there were tug-of-love scenes at Shannon airport yesterday when they arrived for the Munster-Gloucester European Cup tie.

The Gloucester couple who were so desperate to see today's game at Thomond Park they offered accommodation in their English home for a week in exchange for tickets and finally struck gold yesterday.

Whoever got them match tickets would be put up in their five-bedroom pad for the Cheltenham Festival and the deal paid off.