Munster battle bravely for the bonus

HOURS after creating a new Heineken Cup record of 12 successive victories, Munster were publicly acclaimed as the top sporting team of 2006.

After Declan Kidney’s award as manager of the year, it was a fitting finale to Munster’s European efforts this year. However, a performance that made Munster record breakers was not always in keeping with the achievement. This was a sometimes frenetic display, lacking the composure one associates with Heineken Cup champions.

Munster deserved their victory, but could so easily have blown it. From the start, they scorned kickable penalty opportunities and whipped up a storm of intensity designed to sweep Cardiff off their feet.