Munster give Kidney grounds for optimism

THE signs of a physical, hard-hitting match against the USA Eagles were visible as Munster went for a mid-morning conditioning session with head of fitness, Paul Derbyshire, on the shores of Lake Michigan yesterday.

Prop Tony Buckley sported a swollen right eye, Anthony Foley was nursing stitches under his chin, while Denis Hurley, on crutches, will undergo a scan on a twisted ankle upon his return to Ireland today.

The wounds after a good ‘hit-out’ — as the Yanks like to call it — will heal but the glow of satisfaction waspalpable amongst the entire Munster party, who later in the evening bade farewell to five great days in the Windy City. They won’t get carried away after lifting the inaugural Setanta Sports Challenge Cup on Sunday, but there are reasons to be optimistic ahead of the coming season.