Faithful play their part again

ALMOST exactly two years ago to the day, November 18, 2008, on an evening that echoed round the world, the All Blacks came to Thomond Park and in an epic contest, just pipped Munster with a late, late try.

It was a packed house that night, more than 26,000 in the new Thomond Park, and it could have been sold out over and over again. Two years on it’s Australia, another top southern hemisphere international side, one of the Big Three, another titanic battle. This time, however, it’s a Munster win, but — no full house, nearly 5,000 empty seats. Why?

Several very pertinent reasons, starting with the build-up, or lack of. The All Black game was flagged for months, sparked worldwide interest; this game? So low-key that some Munster supporters weren’t even aware it was on. Gary Mills from Cobh is a former Rockwell College starlet, packed down there behind John Fogarty, lined out later with the likes of Ronan O’Gara and Donncha O’Callaghan with Cork Con; according to his wife Evelyn, he’s a fierce follower of Munster, but wasn’t going to this game. Reason? “Knew nothing about it! I’m not sure I’d have been able to go anyway; it’s midweek, this is a family business (Great Island Motors), I’m here six days a week, eight to seven — you can’t clock off in this climate! I’ll watch it on TV.”