JJ Hanrahan exit hits Munster rugby hard

Why does JJ Hanrahan’s decision to leave Munster for Northampton Saints hurt so much? Because he’s one of our own, writes Ronan O’Gara.

I was born in San Diego, returned within six months, and I’m from Cork. JJ is from Kerry. If you’re born and bred in the province and you’ve lived there all your life, locals expect you to play with Munster — and with good reason.

That parochialism, mixed with a couple of wonderful acquisitions from abroad, has been one of the province’s strongest traits over the years. Think of all the people who have given everything to Munster rugby; I’d be here forever listing.