Munster’s hopes shattered in Marseille

Munster’s European hopes came to a frustrating end for another season down by the Mediterranean yesterday, as they came up short in a Heineken Cup semi-final for the second year in a row.

A year ago it had been a case of a young side not daring to dream as they went into battle against the more experienced Clermont Auvergne in Montpellier. Yesterday, in Marseille’s Stade Velodrome, there was no lack of belief on Munster’s part as they faced defending champions and French league leaders Toulon. The problem with Rob Penney’s side was the amount of mistakes they made, Toulon winning the game 24-16 on a warm day in southern France.

Dropped balls, too many penalties, and an in-form goalkicker in the form of Toulon’s veteran captain Jonny Wilkinson proved a lethal combination for Munster in front of massive travelling support. Around 8,000 Munster fans had turned Marseille’s Vieux Port red on Friday and Saturday, crowding into the bars and restaurants that flanked the French city’s picturesque harbour, ‘The Fields of Athenry’ echoing through the squares of the ancient port on the Mediterranean long into both evenings.

By matchday, though, the red belonged not just to Munster but to their rivals, some 30,000 Toulonnais making the 45-minute drive along the coast to Marseille for the big match.

While they celebrated a famous victory, Munster head coach Penney was left to wonder what might have been in his final European match before leaving for Japan at the end of the season.

“The two experiences I’ve had at semi-final time, I’ve left hollow. Both occasions I believe we could have won and I suppose it’s just as the squad matures a bit. I don’t think there was a belief issue today.

“Last year it was little bit of a belief issue but this year I don’t believe so. We’ve just got to be more patient, build pressure, because we’ve shown time and time again that this team’s very capable and it will grow and it will learn and it will be here again.”