It’s a tough job but the Munster masseur is rubbing every minute of it

THE wheel has turned for Munster masseur Dave Revins!

From his first love cycling, to GAA, and now to rugby, Revins has not lost sight of his Youghal roots, where members of the cycling fraternity persuaded him to move to a new career as a rub man or, being politically correct, a rub person.

“It all started there. I was involved with the cycling club and they were looking for volunteers to help out with recovery,” he said.

That was 14 odd years ago, and, encouraged by the feedback, took up courses in the art of healing the physically exhausted.

It was to be a life-changing decision, and today, instead of being a hospital employee, he is official masseur to Munster, where he works alongside physiotherapists Kirsty Peacock and Nick Green keeping Munster’s best in peak condition.

Rugby fans would give anything to be involved with Munster; Revins believes he is privileged, but it is not a job for the weak of body.

Revins spends from early morning to late evening attempting to rectify a problem or stop one from happening. By the end of the day, he is so exhausted that he can only look forward to his bed!

Last week was a case in point when he joined up with Munster for a six day stay in south Wales, preparing for a Celtic League game with Ospreys, and then preparing again for a second match with Llanelli. Basically, he had to provide a round-the-clock service.

“It’s not the attractive job you might think it is, but it becomes all worthwhile when you can play a role in ensuring that the players stay fit and healthy — and when they are able to go out and play for Munster,” he said.

He has been a masseur for quite a while, first with the cycling club, then with Sarsfield’s GAA club, all as a part-timer. Right now, he is at it full-time, having opened a practice from his home in Glanmire, and operating independently whenever he gets a break from his duties with Munster.

“It’s a tiring job, but a very challenging one, and the guys in the Munster squad help make it all worthwhile. I feel part and parcel of the squad; I’m included in everything that’s going on, and they really are a great bunch of guys.”

Certainly, it isn’t an easy challenge. His days are long and tiring, but it all becomes worthwhile when he manages to get guys on the pitch.

“Last week was pretty tough. The trip to Wales involved 12 hour days, but these guys weren’t coming to me for the sake of it. They’re a very professional bunch of guys; it’s slightly different from the other sports I was involved in, because I was dealing with amateurs.

“The Munster guys are not amateurs in any sense of the word; they approach their sport with a huge degree of professionalism, and they’re also a great bunch of people. That makes it so much easier when you have to put in the long hours.

“Actually, they’re simply fantastic. I was lucky enough to be involved with the touring Australian side for a week in the autumn, but I saw absolutely no difference in approach between the two camps.

“The players want to play, and they’re prepared to undergo whatever treatment is needed to make sure that they can get on the pitch.

“There is a huge amount of competition for places within this squad; yet they’re all friends. It’s more like a very large family than a rugby team,” he said.

Revins is excited about Munster’s appearance in yet another Heineken Cup final; his first involvement, but he knows that he is likely to be preoccupied with other things on the day.

“Sure, I’ll be willing them on the whole afternoon, but I have work to do before the match, I’ll have work to do at half-time, and I’ll likely have work to do right through the match as well. That means, I will have very little time to get caught up in the actual game itself,” he said.