Fans hope for plain sailing ahead

A CREW of intrepid Munster fans could yet launch themselves across a storm-tossed Irish Sea in a bid to make Saturday’s crunch Heineken Cup decider in Cardiff.

The six men — mostly from the Royal Cork Yacht Club — were busy studying charts and listening to the weather forecast yesterday as they planned an early morning sailing to the British mainland today.

Led by skipper Adrian Power, the dedicated fans said they would set sail for Milford Haven this morning between 4am and 6am — if it’s safe enough to do so.

One of the crew members, Corkman Tony Mahon, revealed that the group had a fall-back plan of flights if their trip didn’t work out, but claimed sailing was the first preference.

The men — Tony, Adrian, Pat Lyons, Patrick Murray, and Brian Curtis and a sixth crew member from Cobh Sailing Club — met in Crosshaven at 8pm last night aboard the Windhover, a 49-foot long French-made vessel.

“We are meeting with the sole intent of staying on board, as we think there will be an opportunity to sail between 4am and 6am. We will take that chance if it is safe enough,” Tony said.

The crew originally intended to sail to Cardiff, but will now head for Milford Haven. Once there they will catch a train to Cardiff. The sailing trip should take about 17 hours.

“Our preference is to sail as we’ve put a lot of effort into this and that’s the excitement of the trip,” Tony said, adding that it was the first time the Munster die-hards had thought of sailing to a match.

Other members of the yacht club who had originally planned to sail were already in Cardiff yesterday soaking up the pre-match atmosphere, having abandoned their nautical plans due to the forecast.

Thirty-nine-year-old Rory Fitzpatrick’s plan to sail ended when he phoned Swansea-Cork Ferries for an in-depth weather forecast, only to be offered a place on board.

“We’ve already been walking around Cardiff in our red wigs and getting a feel for the place,” he said.

Meanwhile, one keen Munster fan who will not be attending the match is Jim Smith — despite being offered a ticket.

The 24-year-old will swim from Rosslare to Fishgaurd for charity in the last two weeks of August, having swam the English Channel four years ago.

“I was offered a ticket and everything but I just couldn’t go as I have to train,” he said. “These are the sacrifices you make.”