Potent mix of the red and the black recalls ’78 clash

DENIS HURLEY has more than 40 different ways of making rugby fans all over Europe see red.

Not any old red, but the sartorial, intimidating crimson which envelops Munster rugby fans when battle is joined.

Denis provides the kit for fans who get dug in at the front shouting on the team.

As manager of Munster rugby shops in Limerick and Cork, Denis is now busy mixing red with black for a special range of jerseys to mark the historic 1978 re-match with the All Blacks at Thomond Park in two weeks time.

He said: “With our suppliers Adidas, we a have a range of retro wear which are a throwback to 1978. These include a reproduction of the old Munster jersey with the traditional three crowns crest. As in 1978, it does not carry any sponsors name or logo and it is meeting with wide appeal, particularly to supporters in the 30-plus age group.”

As Adidas have the All Blacks and Munster wear contracts, they have come up with a special hybrid souvenir jersey for the big game.

Denis said: “It is a half-and-half Munster/All Blacks jersey based on the jerseys worn in 1978 by both teams. On the back it has the date of the game, venue and game score.”

There are two Munster rugby shops in Limerick’s O’Connell Street and Maylor Street in Cork.

A third will be opened prior to the November 18 game at Thomond Park.

Denis said: “We carry more than 40 different lines of Munster Adidas wear, a far cry when the Munster branch of the IRFU decided on the venture in 1999 to help raise funds.”

Denis said: “Our first product was just a jersey for the 1999 Heineken Cup final at Twickenham against Northhampton which sold for £60 punts.”

The range of Munster garments has now been broadened to include top quality shirts.

Denis said: “We also have a huge range of novelty products such as branded hip flasks, school sets, piggy banks and many others.”

The rugby shop is also proving a popular tourism destination in Limerick.

Denis said: “We get lots of visiting supporters calling when in Limerick for big Heineken Cup games to buy Munster souvenir items. And supporters of Leicester and Northampton buy lots of stuff from our website (www.munsterrugby.ie) as they have adopted Munster as their second team when it comes to support.”