Munster let the Cat out of the bag

IN the pantheon of wingers Munster have unveiled during the professional age, Ian Dowling slots easily into John Kelly and Anthony Horgan mould: an unsung hero, safe pair of hands when the big occasion demands; not flash, just solid and with an ability to do the basics right.

Doug Howlett’s arrival has added the stardust to the Munster three quarters, but steady-as-you-go Dowling has carved out his own special niche on the left wing.

Munster coach Declan Kidney unleashed Dowling in a Heineken Cup pool clash away to Castres in January 2006. The golden moments kept coming thereafter: a try against Sale the same month, the silencing of Shane Horgan during the same campaign and last weekend’s try against Gloucester coupled with a few brilliant cameos.