Christmas comes early for Ireland’s finest

CONNACHT went fancy dress, Leinster travelled to Sean O’Brien’s local, Munster called on an old friend and Ulster spent the night recalling a trip from hell.

Three of Ireland’s rugby provinces enjoyed their Christmas parties on Sunday night following a hectic weekend’s Heineken Cup action. And, just like their form, each had a different twist.

It was an altogether more low-key affair for Munster this year, following Doug Howlett’s arrest in Kilkenny last December. The squad travelled to Clare where they visited Fanny O’Dea’s in Lissycasey and stopped off in Newmarket-on-Fergus on the way back to Limerick for a bite to eat.

They finished off the night in Barry Murphy’s Curragower bar in Limerick. Murphy, who scored a famous try against the All Blacks in Thomond Park in 2008, had his career cut short in May by a metatarsal problem.

Leinster left Dublin for Tullow in Carlow to visit Sean O’Brien’s local. From there, the group travelled into Carlow town for a night in the Foundry nightclub. “Well that night was interesting...,” tweeted O’Brien this morning.

The choice of venue appeared to be to his international captain’s approval as Brian O’Driscoll complimented O’Brien’s choice: “Great night all round. Well played sir.”

Connacht went for the fancy dress approach at O’Connor’s Bar in Salthill with Niall O’Connor ensured his identity was kept secure (pictured).

“Great Xmas party last night.. Some very good efforts and some very poor ones,” tweeted Johnny Muldoon, while O’Connor added: “Great xmas party last night. My outfit seemed to go down ok.”

Ulster’s players spent the night overcoming the ordeal of a troublesome flight on their way over to Italy. Adam Darcy tweeted: “Great to be home with 5 points in the bag, as for flight to Italy,I knew it wasn’t ‘unexpected’ natural turbulence,” with a picture from the Back to the Future movie.

Rory Best replied with a picture from the disaster spoof Airplane and the words: “I blame the co-pilot! It reminded me of a movie...”

Ulster visit Leinster and Munster host Connacht in the Rabo Direct Pro12 league on St Stephen’s Day.