O’Gara earns Munster a few more big paydays

THOSE Munster fans who may have been wavering in their support for the team after a disappointing Heineken Cup campaign had their faith restored in spades on Saturday evening.

The one point win over Leinster at Thomond Park set them up fair for the remainder of the season with the probability of three more big paydays to come. Should they get the better of Brive in Saturday’s away Amlin Cup quarter-final, they face a home semi-final against one of the elites of the English Premiership, Wasps or Harlequins. They are almost certainly through to a home semi-final in the Magners League and if successful in that one, would also host the final at Thomond Park.

All said, the try-less victory over Leinster was far from perfect and could not have been achieved without the boot of Ronan O’Gara. Under huge pressure, he kicked the winning points from the very spot close to the left hand touchline that he converted a Keith Wood try 11 years ago to force another one-point win over Saracens in an unforgettable Heineken Cup game.