Rugby fans show true face of city

THE momentous achievement of the Munster rugby team last Saturday serves as a classic example of perseverance and self-belief conquering what should have been insurmountable odds.

However, one easily overlooked aspect of such a glorious victory is the way in which the true spirit and character of Limerick city were captured by the cameras on O’Connell Street where the match was broadcast on a big screen.

Too often the media have portrayed this beautiful city as a war zone bereft of culture and characterised only by feuding families and violent disorder.

The sight of 40,000 Munster fans gathered in the centre of the city to watch their beloved team finally jump over that final hurdle was a much truer reflection of Limerick than the many defamatory articles published in Irish newspapers in recent years.

It is an indictment of Irish journalism that a few isolated incidents of violence can sway the press so easily to do the spiritual home of Irish rugby such an injustice.

Every season for the last 11 years, rugby fans have travelled to Limerick from Britain, France and, more recently, Italy to watch their teams take on Munster in Thomond Park.

Never have these visitors expressed anything other than complete satisfaction with their stay in Limerick (except, of course, for the obligatory loss incurred on the pitch).

Were it not for Munster’s success in bringing attention to the many positive aspects this city has to offer, press commentators might still have free reign to portray Limerick as they wished, regardless of how dishonest their portrayal might be.

We have this wonderful bunch of players to thank for this redemption of sorts.

Their endeavours over the years have done more for the proud city than any PR campaign or political dialogue could ever achieve.

John Hogan

Ballymacreese

Ballyneety

Co Limerick.