Hands up those who want to carry the flame?

IT will take a while for the dust to settle on this one. After seven years of trying, it may seem almost churlish not to bask in the glory of Munster’s Heineken Cup triumph.

But while the fans will remember it fondly for life, looking to the future for this Munster team is a must for coach and fans alike.

In an interview with this newspaper prior to the final, Munster Supporters Club chairman John Rochford acknowledged the possibility that the romance and passion that surrounds Munster on the terraces could diminish if the Holy Grail was finally won.

The likes of Paul O’Connell would never let it happen on the pitch, however. Certainly not with the current crop, whose determination has been hardened by hard luck stories and disappointment.

Yet, after years of putting off a transition period in the pursuit of Heineken Cup success, an ageing squad and the trophy finally in the bag may render it necessary.

It was interesting to watch fledgling out-half Jeremy Manning’s demeanour during Saturday’s celebrations.

Undoubtedly ecstatic having been part of the squad all season, he can’t have felt it as much as those who were there in 2000, 2002 and for everything else after and in between.

One would like to hope that it won’t take another seven years of close calls and despair for another Heineken Cup win for Munster, but what psychological effect will the victory over Biarritz have on the next generation?

There’s an equal chance that it could spur them on to future success, or that those entering the Munster set-up in the next few years could struggle in the shadow of greatness.

Either way, Declan Kidney can take solace in the knowledge that in terms of skill levels, many of those putting their hand up in the All-Ireland League and even at schools level look to have got what it takes.

Within the current side, Manning is the great white hope. Scouted along with Dolphin centre Mike Kingsbeer from New Zealand by former Munster coach Alan Gaffney, the UCC playmaker is being groomed as Ronan O’Gara’s long-term successor.

Although he has a lot to learn from O’Gara in terms of punting, Manning has soft hands, consistent goal-kicking and a penchant for the spectacular. He is also a superior defender, despite his small stature. Just ask Felipe Contepomi, who almost didn’t get back up after two huge hits from Manning in the opening minutes of UCC’s promotion-relegation play-off with Lansdowne last year.

Also at UCC, props Darragh Hurley and Tim Ryan are developing in time to ensure that when John Hayes retires in a few years, Munster should be adequately served in the front row.

Hurley is an Irish U-21 international, while Ryan has the comfort of knowing he is Kidney’s favoured choice outside the current squad, having been brought into the 22 for the Llanelli game while Marcus Horan and Freddy Pucciarello were stuck on the treatment table.

Moving to Limerick, and how Kidney must wish that Keith Earls was a year older. The 19-year-old St Munchin’s centre is about to sit his Leaving Certificate, but it is not unreasonable to think he could have done a job in the Celtic League when Munster’s cursed number 13 shirt became a poisoned chalice in recent weeks. Having starred for the Irish U-19s at the world cup in Dubai, many keen-eyed observers in Limerick believe he will be catapulted into the main squad next season, particularly with Rob Henderson and Mike Mullins set to call it a day.

The same door looks open for the Shannon pair of Donnacha Ryan and Sean Cronin. Cronin, initially a stop-gap at hooker for Mick Galway’s side, proved to be instrumental in leading Shannon to a second successive AIL crown at the tender age of 20. Meanwhile, lock Ryan has been described by this paper’s Donal Lenihan as a natural successor to O’Connell and Donncha O’Callaghan in the Munster engine room.

Across the city, Garryowen’s Gerry Hurley is making all the right noises. A livewire scrum-half noted for an elusive break reminiscent of Wales’ Dwayne Peel, Hurley has an ace in his hand in the shape of a powerful boot.

With Frank Murphy defecting to Leicester, Hurley should challenge Tomas O’Leary for the position of Peter Stringer’s understudy.

He could find himself oiling the wheels of an all-new Munster backline. Looking to make a mockery of the current lack of options behind the scrum are powerful Garryowen wing Ciaran O’Boyle and UCC full-back Denis Hurley, the cream of the wide men available to Kidney next season.

High hopes are also still pinned on Cork Constitution’s giant winger Richie Lane, who finally looks to be delivering on earlier promise, as evidenced by a four-try salvo against Belfast Harlequins in the AIB Cup.

When the party finally finishes — probably around next September — Munster’s fans could see a host of new faces ready to step into the breach. With a Heineken Cup to defend, Stand Up and Fight will resound louder than ever next season; let’s hope the new boys are listening.