Donal Lenihan: How one Munster win got everyone breathing normally again

The victory over Benetton on Leeside last weekend could not have been better timed.

LOCAL HERO: Peter O'Mahony of Munster waves to supporters after the United Rugby Championship match at Virgin Media Park. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Badly in need of a good news story after what, to date, is proving a challenging season for Irish rugby, Munster’s defeat of Benetton in Cork last Friday, confirming an unbroken participation in Heineken/Champions Cup rugby since the tournament was launched 30 years ago was welcomed with open arms in the corridors of the IRFU.

While it’s difficult to put a figure on it, one source I spoke to reckoned that failure to qualify for Champions Cup rugby would cost the province in the region of €1million in terms of direct impact on their two home pool games, on season ticket sales and a general apathy due to being relegated to the second tier of European rugby.