Star trek for next generation

IT WAS open day for the Munster rugby fans in Musgrave Park yesterday, and by 3.30pm it seemed like every kid in Cork had packed into the ground.

All down the stand side, fully across the city-end terrace, partway up the uncovered stand area, they stood at least four deep, ten deep in places. In their eager outstretched hands, autograph sheets prepared and distributed by the organisers, blank space beside each neatly-printed player’s name.

Inside the low wall perimeter, the players, still in training gear, muddied from the recent session, are posted at intervals, moving slowly along the line, signing, talking, smiling, posing for the occasional photo. “There must be a thousand kids here,” mused a smiling Munster coach Alan Gaffney. “Fantastic to see; it was a very good idea, the players are very much supportive of it all, particularly with the young kids coming out. It’s a buzz for the boys [players] too.”

Biggest buzz of all was coming from the area immediately around Peter Stringer. Fresh from his try-scoring heroics of the weekend in the Triple Crown-clinching win over Scotland, huge grin on his face, the diminutive scrum-half exchanged banter with the large circle of kids, boys and girls, obviously enjoying it all.

“It’s huge, I get a great kick out of it, this is what it’s about. I remember when I was a young fella, the chance to meet the players you admired was something special. I’m fully aware of what it means to these fellas, I’d stay here all day if I could.”

It looked like he might have to, such was the crowd gathered in front of him. Last Saturday, on a day when there were many, by far the biggest cheer of the day was reserved for Stringer, when he scampered through the gap to touch down; on this day, his popularity is again evident.

“I don’t know, it’s probably the size thing, young fellas can relate more to me, being small. They feel that if I can make it, any of them can make it. I appreciate that as well, you’re a role models for young fellas growing up, so you have to be seen to be enjoying this aspect of it, which I do. I love days like this.”

He wasn’t alone. Team captain Jim Williams, Australian and adopted Munsterman: “Ever since I’ve been here the whole atmosphere around the Heineken Cup has been excellent. This is all part and parcel of it. Not everyone can get to the game, so this is a chance for the kids to get to meet the guys. It’s a real party atmosphere, a great build-up to the quarter-final. I’m definitely looking forward to that.”

Also playing his part, another try-scoring hero from Saturday’s win, flanker David Wallace: “It’s great to see all the kids, all the support. I was playing for many years when it just wasn’t there, so I’ve seen both sides of it. It’s great that so many people, kids especially, get to see us training, get the ould autographs, bring it to school next day. I was an autograph-hunter myself, I suppose we’ve all done it. Any internationals, I was always straight up to them. I know how much it means to these kids, what it was like for me as a youngster”.

With the recent Triple Crown win, the likes of O’Driscoll and D’Arcy in Leinster, O’Gara, Stringer, Wallace, O’Connell, O’Callaghan, Foley, Hayes and company in Munster, are the new marquee names in Irish sport; much like it was in the heyday of soccer and big Jack, this is prime time for Irish rugby. In Munster at least, thanks to the efforts of people like former international David Corkery, PRO Pat Geraghty and his team behind the scenes, they are taking full advantage.

How many future Peter Stringers or Fiona Steeds, were born in Musgrave Park yesterday? Time will tell.