Munster hardmen get into character for Mob shoot

THE hard men of Irish rugby have swapped their Munster jerseys for mafia-style suits — all in aid of a worthy cause.

Ahead of today's crucial showdown in Toulouse this was the moment when some of Munster's finest were captured like you've never seen them before.

Thirteen of the province's most legendary players agreed to pose for this amazing poster on condition that all proceeds go the Mick O'Connell injury fund.

The Cork rugby player suffered serious neck injuries while playing for Dolphin at the start of this season.

The idea to get some of the Munster legends to dress up as gangsters was the brainchild of Limerick photographer, Ted Kirby.

Over the past few weeks the talented 32-year-old has been working on the poster, titled Munster Legends Guardians of a Legacy.

It features Peter Clohessy, Mick Galwey, Brendan Foley, Ginger McLoughlin, Pat O'Hara, Tom Kiernan, Micheal Bradley, Donal Lenihan, Michael Kiernan, Moss Keane and Tony Ward.

"I had made a short film about gangsters when I lived in New York and I just thought Mick Galwey and The Claw would look excellent as mobsters," said Ted.

"We had great cráic doing the shoot and they were all really friendly and didn't mind dressing up.

"At the moment I'm looking for sponsorship for the poster so that I can get it printed up properly. I think it would be something people would like to have and obviously the proceeds will go towards a very worthy cause.

"The poster is so different from your typical team photos and action shots and it's just a new a new way of presenting some of the Munster players."

A keen rugby supporter Ted, played for Garryowen in his youth and is fully confident of a Munster win today.

"I think Munster definitely have what it takes to win the Heineken Cup this year and I think they have established themselves as the Real Madrid of European rugby," he said.

Meanwhile, as the final countdown gets underway for today's semi-final thousands of fans have spent the last few days making their way to the south of France for the all important decider.

An army of more than 12,000 Munster fans is expected to converge at the Stadium de Toulouse today with the hope of seeing Munster secure their place in the Heineken Cup final, which takes place in Lansdowne Road on May 25.