Coach leaves a legacy of memories

As Tony McGahan prepares to take charge of Munster for possibly the final time at home before departing to a new job in his native Australia, Simon Lewis looks back at the top five Thomond Park moments of his tenure.

Those 41 phases and that drop goal, November 13, 2011

Cast by some as underdogs in their own backyard in this Heineken Cup pool opener against the previous season’s Heineken Cup runners-up, Munster showed their mettle with a rousing finish to beat Northampton Saints 23-21. The way McGahan’s side kept possession through 41 phases to manoeuvre Ronan O’Gara into position for a game-winning drop goal deep in added time is already the stuff of legend.

Magners League final, May 28, 2011

A week after completing an epic Heineken Cup final victory over Northampton, Leinster were brought back down to earth with a bump as Munster secured a 19-9 victory over their fiercest rivals. A try either side of half-time, from Doug Howlett and then Keith Earls, as well as a late penalty try, gave the hosts the win. It was Munster’s second Magners League title in three seasons on McGahan’s watch.

Beating the Wallabies, November 17, 2010

The touring Australians received a windswept soaking and a slice of humble pie as a Munster side missing most of its Ireland contingent claimed another famous victory for the province. James Coughlan led a team of youngsters including man of the match Ian Nagle to a 15-6 win. Paul Warwick scored all the points from the boot with two drop goals and three penalties.

Ospreys put to the sword, April 12, 2009

Munster were in unstoppable mood as they trounced a fancied Ospreys to reach their 8th Heineken Cup semi-final with a 43-9 romp. Munster led 16-6 at half-time but ran riot after the interval. Paul O’Connell scored a try, Keith Earls got two and Paul Warwick won man-of-the-match.

Thomond Park opener, November 20, 2008

The redeveloped stadium was almost baptised in perfect style as Munster ran the touring All Blacks very, very close. They led 16-13 with four minutes left on the clock. Alas there was to be no repeat of the legendary 1978 victory as Joe Rokocoko snatched a winning try but there was no shortage of heroics in that 16-18 defeat.