Triple crown the target for Ireland’s Number One

THERE was a time, not long ago, when Marcus Horan must have wondered why he bothered to pursue a rugby career with Munster.

The redoubtable Peter Clohessy was firmly installed as loosehead prop not just with the province, but also Ireland, and there was little sign of that changing as a new millennium came and went.

Fortunately Horan, the former St Munchin’s College man from Clonlara, Co Clare, was prepared to bide his time. The day finally came when even the “Claw” had to call it a day. Horan was ready to take over a formidable mantle at Munster. He then had to wait another couple of years before unseating Reggie Corrigan with Ireland.