Ronan O'Gara: Ten years ago, a coaching journey started. Here’s what happened next…

Ten years ago, I walked into Cork Airport on Sunday morning with my ambitions and prospects of making it as some sort of professional coach in a carry-on suitcase. I had two small towels, with me. Just as well. Now read on...

MOMENTS TO SAVOUR: Happy he made the correct decision to retire, Ronan O'Gara seeks approval from his son Rua.

‘O’Donnell kicks downfield and Munster steal. That creates all sorts of chaos as O’Gara dinks it in behind the Clermont line. Felix Jones chases, but the bounce evades him and the defender, giving hope to Laulala. The replay shows Jones knocked on and Clermont have the put-in. But they are seriously rattled.

If there was a recurring theme now it was simply that old suspicion that the French, for all their power, are not aerobically conditioned to go the full 80 minutes. It manifested itself in all sorts of little ways: Parra missed a kick he would have sent sailing over with an unpounding heart. The runners he set up made little ground now. This semi-final was there for the taking and Munster knew it. Donnacha Ryan stole a ball off Nathan Hines, who had already put his side in trouble with a risky off-load. The ball was kicked towards the Clermont line, Nalaga chased by a swarm in red. Clermont escaped unstung, with a knock-on a yard out.