‘In the end, Jamie came out faster than Peter Stringer’

MUNSTER fans have sacrificed much to support the boys in red, but Noelle Boland more than most.

While in labour with her first baby, she ordered her husband Mick to leave the ward in the Regional Maternity Hospital in Limerick to cheer on Anthony Foley’s men.

Mick, a garda stationed in Roscrea, had taken the day off to watch the European final with friends in Caherconlish, Co Limerick, where the couple live.

But five hours before kick-off Noelle went into labour and Mick rushed her to hospital.

Noelle, who comes from Dungarvan, Co Waterford, said: “I knew Mick was looking forward so much to watching the game and I told him to leave the labour ward and watch the game on TV. Anyway he was making me nervous.”

Shortly after the final whistle, Jamie Boland arrived into the world weighing seven pounds six ounces.

Noelle, a nurse at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital said: “In the end, Jamie came out faster than Peter Stringer.”

Mick returned to the ward in time for the birth.

“I had taken Saturday off to watch the game with a few friends. Then Noelle went into labour and I said that was the end of the rugby game.

“But Noelle, even though she was in labour in the hospital, insisted I go away and watch the game. I couldn’t believe it when she said she wanted me to take time out to see the game while she was in labour. I kept in touch with the labour ward and was there when Jamie arrived.”

It was a weekend of double celebration for the family as Mick’s sister, Catherine Iversen gave birth to her first baby, also a boy, in Grimsby, England, on Sunday.