‘Miracle’ boots up for auction
A Dublin man who owns the boots used by Munster out-half Ronan O'Gara, who kicked 13 points in the now legendary match, is encouraging supporters of Alan Gaffney's team to support a worthy cause by bringing the footwear back to the province.
Coincidentally, Munster and Gloucester meet in another crucial Heineken European Cup match in Thomond Park on Saturday almost a year to the day of last year's sensational encounter.
On January 18 last, Munster overcame enormous odds to score a 33-6 victory over the English visitors getting four tries and the 27-point winning margin necessary, including a last-minute conversion by O'Gara, to secure passage to the knockout stages of the competition.
The victory was heralded as the province's greatest performance after the historic 12-0 win over the All Blacks in 1978. Dublin businessman, Ray Martin, who currently owns O'Gara's boots, has decided to auction them in a bid to raise money for Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin.
The Leinster supporter has been actively engaged in fundraising for the hospital for several years. His son, Peter, was a patient at Our Lady's until his death from cancer last October at the age of seven. Mr Martin also acquired the boots for around €700 at a charity auction organised by the Leinster branch of the IRFU last year.
"I believe the proper place for these boots is somewhere in Munster, given their vital role in the victory over Gloucester," he explained.
Listeners to RTÉ radio's Today With Pat Kenny have also been asked to submit offers. Mr Martin said he hoped the boots, which have been mounted on a mahogany base, might raise around €5,000 for the hospital.
Mr Martin said he would love to be able to present the successful bidder with the boots at Saturday's match in Thomond Park. "It would be a very fitting occasion to return the boots to Munster," he added.
Anyone interested in bidding can contact Ray Martin on 086-2556599.
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