Citizendia
Your Ad Here

Munster Rugby
Full name Irish Rugby Football Union Munster Branch
Nickname(s) The Red Army
Founded 1879
Location Munster, Ireland
Ground(s) a) Thomond Park
b) Musgrave Park
Capacity a) 12,500 (currently being upgraded to 26,000)
b) 8,000 (due to be upgraded to 16,000)
Coach Declan Kidney
Most appearances Anthony Foley (200)
Top scorer Ronan O'Gara (1,203)
Most tries Anthony Horgan (33)
League Magners League
2007-08 3rd
Team colours Team colours Team colours
Team colours
Team colours
　
Home colours
Team colours Team colours Team colours
Team colours
Team colours
　
Away colours
Official website
www.munsterrugby.ie
Flag of Ireland

Munster (also known as Munster Rugby) is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Munster, that competes in the Magners League and Heineken Cup. Munster ( Irish: An Mhumhain, ənˈvuːnʲ Cúige Mumhan or Mumha) is the southernmost of the four Provinces of Ireland. Ireland ( Irish: Éire, ˈeːrʲə is a country in north-western Europe. Thomond Park is a stadium in Limerick City, Munster Ireland. It is the home of Shannon RFC, UL Bohemian RFC and Munster Rugby Musgrave Park is a stadium in the city of Cork, Ireland. The ground consists of four terraces one stand three tribunes one jogging track and two VIP Declan Kidney (born 20 October 1959 in Cork) is an Irish rugby union coach Ronan John Ross O'Gara (born 7 March 1977 in San Diego, California) is an Irish Rugby union footballer occupying the position for both Anthony Horgan (born 15 November, 1976) is an Irish rugby player Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world Overview See also Playing rugby union A rugby union match lasts for 80 minutes (plus stoppage time with a short Munster ( Irish: An Mhumhain, ənˈvuːnʲ Cúige Mumhan or Mumha) is the southernmost of the four Provinces of Ireland. The European Rugby Cup (known as the Heineken Cup because of the tournament's sponsorship by Heineken) is an annual Rugby union competition involving leading They won the Heineken Cup final in 2006 and in 2008 to become the champions of Europe. The team represents the Irish Rugby Football Union Munster Branch, and encompasses 15 domestic 'All Ireland League' clubs and a strong number of junior clubs. The Irish Rugby Football Union ( IRFU) (Cumann Rugbaí na hÉireann is the body managing Rugby union in Ireland. Their main home grounds are Thomond Park, Limerick, and Musgrave Park, Cork. Thomond Park is a stadium in Limerick City, Munster Ireland. It is the home of Shannon RFC, UL Bohemian RFC and Munster Rugby Limerick (pronounced /ˈlɪmrɪk/ Luimneach in Irish) is a city and the county seat of County Limerick in the Province of Munster Musgrave Park is a stadium in the city of Cork, Ireland. The ground consists of four terraces one stand three tribunes one jogging track and two VIP Cork (Corcaigh is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland 's third most populous city after Dublin and Belfast

The Munster Rugby branch was formed in 1879. Its most famous victory occurred in 1978 when it defeated the All Blacks. The All Blacks are New Zealand's national team in Rugby union, the country's National sport. It remains the only Irish side to have ever done so. With professionalism in rugby union in the mid 1990s the Munster team competed in the new European Heineken Cup. After three seasons of not making it past its group stage, Munster made the quarter finals in the 1998-99 season, and in the subsequent season made its first final appearance, though it lost to English club Northampton. Northampton Saints are a professional English Rugby union club from Northampton, England. It was again runners-up in 2001-02, losing to English club Leicester, though the following season it won its first Celtic League title, with the championship being introduced the previous season. Leicester Football Club (nicknamed Leicester Tigers) is an English Rugby union club that plays in the Guinness Premiership. In their third Heineken Cup final in 2005-06, Munster famously defeated French club Biarritz, by a margin of 23-19, to win its first European championship. Biarritz Olympique Pays Basque (also known as Biarritz Olympique and abbreviated as BOPB) is a French professional Rugby union team based in On 24 May 2008, they won the Heineken Cup for the second time when they beat Toulouse 16-13.

Munster is known for its fan support and game day atmosphere (the noise during play and complete silence during an attempt to kick a goal). Games involving Munster hold several Heineken Cup records for highest attendances in every stage of the finals, as well as the highest ever attendance for a rugby game in both Spain and Switzerland. Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Switzerland (English pronunciation; Schweiz Swiss German: Schwyz or Schwiiz Suisse Svizzera Svizra officially the Swiss Confederation Munster players play in a red jersey, navy shorts and red socks. The Munster Rugby logo consists of three crowns and a stag. The team motto is "To the brave and faithful, nothing is impossible. " The ERC's European ranking system has placed Munster as the No. 1 team in Europe based on its performance in the last four seasons.

Contents

History

Against the All Blacks

Munster is the only Irish side to have beaten New Zealand. The All Blacks are New Zealand's national team in Rugby union, the country's National sport. The 12-0 victory occurred on Tuesday 31 October 1978 at Thomond Park. Events 445 BC – Ezra reads the Book of the Law to the Israelites in Jerusalem (see Nehemiah 91 NLTse Year 1978 ( MCMLXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar) Christy Cantillon scored a try with Tony Ward converting. A try is the major way of scoring points in Rugby league and Rugby union. Anthony Joseph Patrick Ward (born October 9 1954, Dublin, Ireland) commonly referred to as Tony Ward, was an Irish Rugby A try is the major way of scoring points in Rugby league and Rugby union. Then Ward added a drop goal in each half. A drop goal, also referred to as a dropped goal or field goal, is a method of scoring points in Rugby union and Rugby league. A stage play was based on the game called Alone it Stands by John Breen, as was a book: Stand Up and Fight: When Munster Beat the All Blacks by Alan English. Alone It Stands is a play by John Breen that tells the story of the historic Rugby union match in 1978 at Thomond Park between Irish provincial John Breen is a playwright from Limerick, Ireland. He is famous for his play Alone it Stands which tells the tale of Munster Rugby Team's Both have been commercially successful. Munster also drew with the All Blacks in 1973. Though these results are the stuff of Munster legend, a few players, most notably Tony Ward, were born outside the province.

Early 1990s

In 1992, Australia, reigning world champions, having won the 1991 Rugby World Cup, visited Munster as part of a European Tour. Munster won 22-19 in a rough encounter in Cork. Ten years later, London newspaper The Telegraph recounted part of the legend in a feature on Munster Prop Peter Clohesy: "The then Wallabies coach, Bob Dwyer, who was not a man who readily accepted that opposition sides could legitimately score more points than his team, immediately branded the Munster No 3 a "disgrace". It had been a typically rugged, robust and memorable Munster triumph, with leather and fists flying on both sides. Clohessy was no more guilty than the next man but world champions are not supposed to lose against a hastily assembled Irish provincial XV. There had to be a reason, an excuse, and Dwyer rounded on Clohessy". [1]

Late 1990s and early 2000s

They reached the Heineken Cup quarter-finals in 1998/1999, after three years of not being able to get out of the group stages. This led them to their first appearance in the competition's final in 1999/2000, where they lost by one point to Northampton at Twickenham. Northampton Saints are a professional English Rugby union club from Northampton, England. Twickenham is a suburb in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, in south west London. Nevertheless, that season was most memorable with a fantastic win over Toulouse 25-31 in Bordeaux. Their good form and bad luck continued in the following year (2000/2001) with a semi-final defeat to Stade Français, again by one point. Stade Français CASG (usually known as Stade Français and Stade Français Paris) are a French professional Rugby union club based in the In 2001/2002 Munster lost the last match of their pool in Castres, but qualified as best runners-up. Castres ( Castras in the Languedocian dialect of Occitan language) is a town and commune of Languedoc in south-western France Munster beat Stade Français 16-14 in Paris. The only try of the game coming from Anthony Horgan. Anthony Horgan (born 15 November, 1976) is an Irish rugby player It was then on to Béziers to meet Castres for the semi-final. Castres Olympique is a French Rugby union club located in the Midi-Pyrenees city of Castres and currently competing in the top level of Munster were triumphant and went to the final at Millennium Stadium to meet the reigning champions, Leicester. The Millennium Stadium (Stadiwm y Mileniwm is the National stadium of Wales, located in the capital Cardiff. Leicester Football Club (nicknamed Leicester Tigers) is an English Rugby union club that plays in the Guinness Premiership. Munster lost a tight game remembered as 'the hand of Back' final as a Leicester flanker used his hand illegally in a scrum when Munster had a last-chance attack. Neil Antony Back (born January 16 1969 in Coventry) is a former international Rugby union footballer for England, who also played

In 2002/2003, they reached the quarter-finals after a win against Gloucester, later issued on DVD under the title "The Miracle Match". Gloucester Rugby are a professional English Rugby union team situated in the West country city of Gloucester. DVD (also known as " Digital Versatile Disc " or " Digital Video Disc " - see Etymology)is In this game, Munster needed to win by a margin of at least 27 points and score a minimum of four tries to earn a quarter-final berth. They won 33-6 with four tries in a game that has become part of Munster rugby folklore. They again faced Leicester, this time at the Tigers' home of Welford Road, and defeated the reigning champions to progress to the semi-finals. Welford Road is a Stadium in Leicester, England and is home to one of England's traditional rugby union powers Leicester Tigers. They faced Toulouse in the semi-finals and lost out on a place in the final after losing by a single point in France. Stade Toulousain, also referred to as Toulouse, is a French Rugby union club from Toulouse in Midi-Pyrénées.

In 2003/2004 it was more of the same. After an assured performance in the Pool stage they defeated Stade Français at Thomond Park to set up a semi-final date with English champions Wasps. London Wasps is an English professional Rugby union team The men's first team which forms London Wasps was derived from Wasps Football Club who This was considered one of the best Heineken Cup matches of all time. Although leading by 10 points in the second half, having already lost Ronan O'Gara to injury early on, they succumbed to 2 Wasps tries in injury time resulting in a Wasps v Toulouse final. Ronan John Ross O'Gara (born 7 March 1977 in San Diego, California) is an Irish Rugby union footballer occupying the position for both In 2004/2005, after a shaky performance in the Pool stage, they qualified as 5th seeds and played Biarritz away. Biarritz Olympique Pays Basque (also known as Biarritz Olympique and abbreviated as BOPB) is a French professional Rugby union team based in The match was played at Real Sociedad's ground, the Anoeta Stadium, in San Sebastián in Spain — the first Heineken Cup game ever played in Spain. Real Sociedad de Fútbol (more commonly referred to as Real Sociedad) is a Spanish football club from the Basque city of San Sebastián/Donostia Estadio Anoeta is a multi-use Stadium in Donostia/San Sebastián, Spain. Donostia-San Sebastián ( Basque: Donostia, IPA; Spanish: San Sebastián, known officially as Donostia-San Sebastián Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Biarritz won 19-10 to avenge a 38-29 defeat at the same stage in 2001.

2005-06 to present

Inside the Millennium Stadium for the 2005-06 final where over 65,000 Munster fans were present.
Inside the Millennium Stadium for the 2005-06 final where over 65,000 Munster fans were present.

In 2005/2006, in order to qualify from the pool stage, they needed to beat Sale Sharks at Thomond Park. Sale Sharks are a professional Rugby union team who play in England in the Guinness Premiership. Unlikely though it seemed, to win the pool they needed to score four tries and avoid giving Sale a bonus point. This they did in some style, scoring a try in injury time to win the match 31-9 and reach the quarter-finals. To add to the drama, the team qualified for a home quarter-final thanks to Leinster beating Bath the following day. The Irish Rugby Football Union Leinster Branch (also known as Leinster Rugby) is one of four branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for Rugby union in Bath Rugby (also known as just Bath) is an English professional Rugby union club that is based in the city of Bath. This was achieved not just by Leinster winning the away fixture, but by their denying the home side a bonus point as well. Their quarter-final was played at Lansdowne Road in Dublin against Perpignan. Location The stadium is situated in the neighbourhood of Ballsbridge in the city's Dublin 4 area Dublin (ˈdʌblɨn/ /ˈdʊblɨn or /ˈdʊbəlɪn/, bˠalʲə aːha klʲiəh or cliə(ɸ is both the largest city and capital of Ireland. Union Sportive des Arlequins Perpignanais ( French) or Unió Esportiva Arlequins de Perpinyà ( Catalan) generally abbreviated as USAP in Munster eventually won the game 19-10 to set up a semi-final against rivals Leinster, which they won convincingly, 30-6. The Irish Rugby Football Union Leinster Branch (also known as Leinster Rugby) is one of four branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for Rugby union in

They would return to the Millennium Stadium for the final against Biarritz which they won 23-19 to become European champions for the first time. The Millennium Stadium (Stadiwm y Mileniwm is the National stadium of Wales, located in the capital Cardiff. Tries from Trevor Halstead & Peter Stringer along with 13 points from Ronan O'Gara kicks made up the Munster total. Trevor Halstead (born June 17, 1976 in Margate KwaZulu-Natal) is a former South African Rugby union footballer Peter Alexander Stringer (born 13 December 1977) is an Irish Rugby union footballer who plays at scrum half for Munster and Ireland Ronan John Ross O'Gara (born 7 March 1977 in San Diego, California) is an Irish Rugby union footballer occupying the position for both Alan English, author of Stand Up and Fight: When Munster Beat the All Blacks was commissioned to write an official account of the 2005/2006 European campaign, entitled Our Road To Glory, with photographs by Billy Stickland. The book, a compilation of the players thoughts and feelings before and after the final, was launched to coincide with the 2006/2007 campaign.

In the 2006/2007 Heineken Cup, they started their campaign with a victory over Leicester at Welford Road from a Ronan O'Gara penalty from his own half. Leicester Football Club (nicknamed Leicester Tigers) is an English Rugby union club that plays in the Guinness Premiership. Welford Road is a Stadium in Leicester, England and is home to one of England's traditional rugby union powers Leicester Tigers. Munster continued the group stage undefeated until they met Leicester Tigers again, this time at Thomond Park. Leicester Football Club (nicknamed Leicester Tigers) is an English Rugby union club that plays in the Guinness Premiership. Thomond Park is a stadium in Limerick City, Munster Ireland. It is the home of Shannon RFC, UL Bohemian RFC and Munster Rugby Munster, previously undefeated at "Fortress Thomond Park" in Heineken Cup play, ended up losing the game 6-13, but still clinched a quarterfinal berth as one of the two top second-place teams.

In August 2007, Munster sent a team, minus its international players, to the USA to play the US Eagles in a 2007 World Cup warm up game, Munster winning the tie 10-6 with Anthony Horgan scoring the only try of the match. For the American Rugby league team see United States national rugby league team. The 2007 Rugby World Cup was the sixth Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international Rugby union world championship inaugurated in 1987. Munster clinched arguably the most audacious signing in the province's history on 30 August 2007, when Doug Howlett, who succeeded Christian Cullen, himself a Munster signing, as all-time leading try scorer for New Zealand during the 2007 World Cup, agreed to join on a two and a half year contract. Douglas Charles Howlett is a professional New Zealand Rugby union player of Tongan descent Christian Mathias Cullen (born 12 February 1976 in Paraparaumu) is a former Rugby union footballer who played most of his rugby at fullback The All Blacks are New Zealand's national team in Rugby union, the country's National sport.

The Heineken Cup campaign for 2007/08 began on a losing note, with a 24-23 defeat to London Wasps at Coventry City F.C.'s Ricoh Arena. London Wasps is an English professional Rugby union team The men's first team which forms London Wasps was derived from Wasps Football Club who Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip is an association football club based in Coventry, The Ricoh Arena, home to Coventry City FC, is a stadium complex situated in the Rowleys Green district of the City of Coventry, England A home win against a weakened Clermont Auvergne side followed. Association Sportive Montferrandaise Clermont Auvergne is a French Rugby union club from Clermont-Ferrand in Auvergne that currently competes Munster gained revenge for last season's quarter final exit at the hands of Welsh side Llanelli Scarlets with a victory over the Welsh side at a rain-sodden Stradey Park and a second win at Thomond Park. Stradey Park (Welsh Parc Y Strade) is a Rugby union Stadium located near the centre of the town of Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, Thomond Park is a stadium in Limerick City, Munster Ireland. It is the home of Shannon RFC, UL Bohemian RFC and Munster Rugby A bonus point 26-19 loss to Clermont, a match which marked Doug Howlett's debut for the province, kept Munster in the hunt for qualification for the knockout stages. Douglas Charles Howlett is a professional New Zealand Rugby union player of Tongan descent A win over Wasps at a wet and windy Thomond secured top spot in the "Pool of Death" for Munster and they booked a quarter-final berth against Gloucester at Kingsholm, which was duly won 16-3. London Wasps is an English professional Rugby union team The men's first team which forms London Wasps was derived from Wasps Football Club who Gloucester Rugby are a professional English Rugby union team situated in the West country city of Gloucester. Kingsholm Stadium is a Rugby union Stadium in Gloucester, England, and is the home stadium of Gloucester Rugby. The semi-final saw Munster beat Saracens 18-16 at Ricoh Arena and in the final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium they defeated Toulouse 16-13 to claim their second Heineken Cup title in 3 years. The Saracens Rugby Football Club, also known as Saracens FC or usually just Saracens, are a professional Rugby union team based in Watford, The Millennium Stadium (Stadiwm y Mileniwm is the National stadium of Wales, located in the capital Cardiff. Toulouse ( pronounced in standard French, and in the local accent ( Occitan: Tolosa, pronounced) is a city in southwest Denis Leamy's first half try along with 11 points from the boot of O'Gara accounted for the scores.

Colours and logo

The 'three crowns' emblem used by Munster alludes to the three constituent historic kingdoms of Munster; Thomond in the north, Desmond in the south, and Ormond in the east. A revamped logo was introduced for the 2003-04 season which included the addition of a stag with the three crowns. [2] The crest was designed to maintain the three crowns, and the new red stag symbolizes strength and competitiveness. [2] The decision for change was a product of two years of planning of research and design. [2] Elements of blue were also introduced into mainly red Munster jersey. The current kit consists of a red shirt with blue trimming (such as the collar), blue shorts and red socks. The kit is made by Adidas, replacing Canterbury of NZ, in a deal covering kit supply for the next three seasons. Shirt sponsors are Toyota.

Home grounds

Munster have two main stadiums where they play their home matches - Thomond Park in Limerick and Musgrave Park in Cork. Thomond Park is a stadium in Limerick City, Munster Ireland. It is the home of Shannon RFC, UL Bohemian RFC and Munster Rugby Limerick (pronounced /ˈlɪmrɪk/ Luimneach in Irish) is a city and the county seat of County Limerick in the Province of Munster Musgrave Park is a stadium in the city of Cork, Ireland. The ground consists of four terraces one stand three tribunes one jogging track and two VIP Cork (Corcaigh is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland 's third most populous city after Dublin and Belfast Thomond Park is the bigger of the two, with a capacity of around 12,000, while Musgrave can hold around 8,000. As well as Munster, Shannon RFC and UL Bohemian R.F.C. play the grounds of Thomond Park. Shannon Rugby Football Club is an Amateur Rugby union team from Ireland, they hail from Limerick near the banks of the Shannon river UL Bohemian is an AIL Division 1 rugby club based in Thomond Park Limerick. Thomond Park is famous for its atmosphere and unique history[3] - its noise during play and complete silence when a player (home and away) is kicking at goal. It is also famous for Munster's intimidating record that it held for over a decade - having never been beaten at home during the Heineken Cup. [4] However the record was broken during the 2006-07 season when they were defeated by the Leicester Tigers. Draw The top seeds from each of the participant nations (France England Scotland Italy Wales and Ireland were all drawn into separate pools [4]

Thomond Park went through a major renovation in 1999, and in 2006, Munster announced plans to upgrade it to a new 26,000 stadium (15,000 stand seats and 11,000 terrace capacity). [5] The design for the redevelopment was unveiled in May of that year, and work on the stadium began in early 2007. Munster hope to open the ground around Autumn in 2008. Two sweeping arches will be one of the defining features of the stadium as well as the concourse outside of the new East Stand. [5] A long discussion and consultation on the new name concluded with the decision that the name would remain Thomond Park.

Supporters

Thousands of fans watch the 2006 Heinken Cup final in Limerick.
Thousands of fans watch the 2006 Heinken Cup final in Limerick.

This support was demonstrated during Munster's recent (2006 & 2008) Heineken Cup wins. There were many news reports of the lengths some fans were willing to go to secure tickets to the game and to travel to the game. Some Munster fans traveled to Biarritz to buy up the French allocation of tickets. [6] On the day of the game the Millennium Stadium (which is in Wales) was filled with a capacity 74,500 crowd. Of those numbers it is estimated that in excess of 55-65,000 were Munster fans[7] with the remainder being neutrals and Biarritz supporters. The Millennium Stadium was intended to be a neutral venue but commentators on the day remarked that it could hardly be counted as such. In North America there is an official supporters club called Munster Rugby USA. [8]

Munster have played in the most-attended quarter-final and semi-final matches of the Heineken Cup:

Munster's appearance in the 2002 final against Leicester at Millennium Stadium, which drew 74,600, was the record attendance for a Heineken Cup final[11] until the 2007 final between Leicester and Wasps at the newly expanded Twickenham, although it is estimated that as many as 10,000 Munster fans attended this game, having bought tickets before Munster were knocked out of the competition. Twickenham Stadium (usually known as just Twickenham or Twickers) is a Stadium located in Twickenham, in the London Borough of Richmond Munster's 2005 quarter-final against Biarritz Olympique in Estadio Anoeta, played as it was across the border in San Sebastián, with an attendance of 32,000 also set the record for the biggest rugby match ever played in Spain. [12] Their October 2006 Celtic League game against Leinster at Lansdowne Road beat the record for that competition with an attendance of 27,252[13] - this record lasted just two months however with the Leinster and Ulster match on 31 December 2006 filling Lansdowne Road (over 48,000 in attendance) for the last match at the stadium before redevelopment. Events 406 – Vandals, Alans and Suebians cross the Rhine, beginning an invasion of Gallia. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. [14]

Honours

Season records

Celtic League

Celtic League results
Year Played Win Draw Loss PF PA Diff BP Points Place
2001-02 6 5 0 1 228 120 118 0 15 1st (Pool B)
2002-03 7 6 0 1 227 129 98 4 28 1st (Pool A)
2003-04 22 10 0 12 422 456 -34 11 51 7th
2004-05 20 15 1 4 470 331 139 7 69 2nd
2005-06 20 12 0 8 439 372 67 10 58 3rd
2006-07 20 12 0 8 379 294 85 6 54 6th

Heineken Cup

Heineken Cup results
Year Played Win Draw Loss PF PA Diff Points Pool place Play-offs
1995-96 2 1 0 1 33 27 +8 2 2nd
1996-97 4 2 0 2 109 135 -26 4 4th
1997-98 6 2 0 4 141 180 -39 4 3rd
1998-99 6 4 1 1 144 108 +36 9 2nd Lost QF to US Colomiers
1999-00 6 5 0 1 188 132 +56 10 1st Lost F to Northampton
2000-01 6 5 0 1 154 109 +45 10 1st Lost SF to Stade Francais
2001-02 6 5 0 1 172 87 +85 10 2nd Lost F to Leicester
2002-03 6 4 0 2 206 107 +99 8 2nd Lost SF to Toulouse
2003-04 6 5 0 1 172 76 +96 24 2nd Lost SF to London Wasps
2004-05 6 5 0 1 121 74 +47 22 1st Lost QF to Biarritz
2005-06 6 5 0 1 186 87 +99 23 1st Champions, defeating Biarritz (23-19)
2006-07 6 5 0 1 152 112 +40 23 2nd Lost QF to Llanelli Scarlets
2007-08 6 4 0 2 148 95 +53 19 1st Champions, defeating Toulouse (16-13)

Current squad (Season 2007/2008)

Nat. The European Rugby Cup (known as the Heineken Cup because of the tournament's sponsorship by Heineken) is an annual Rugby union competition involving leading US Colomiers is a French Rugby union club that will play the 2008-09 season in Rugby Pro D2, the second level of the French rugby pyramid Northampton Saints are a professional English Rugby union club from Northampton, England. Stade Français CASG (usually known as Stade Français and Stade Français Paris) are a French professional Rugby union club based in the Leicester Football Club (nicknamed Leicester Tigers) is an English Rugby union club that plays in the Guinness Premiership. Stade Toulousain, also referred to as Toulouse, is a French Rugby union club from Toulouse in Midi-Pyrénées. London Wasps is an English professional Rugby union team The men's first team which forms London Wasps was derived from Wasps Football Club who Biarritz Olympique Pays Basque (also known as Biarritz Olympique and abbreviated as BOPB) is a French professional Rugby union team based in Biarritz Olympique Pays Basque (also known as Biarritz Olympique and abbreviated as BOPB) is a French professional Rugby union team based in Stade Toulousain, also referred to as Toulouse, is a French Rugby union club from Toulouse in Midi-Pyrénées. Position Player
Flag of Ireland FB Denis Hurley (Cork Constitution)
Flag of South Africa FB Shaun Payne (UL Bohemians)
Flag of Ireland WG Brian Carney (Clonakilty)
Flag of Ireland WG Ian Dowling (Shannon)
Flag of Ireland WG Anthony Horgan (Cork Constitution)
Flag of New Zealand WG Doug Howlett
Flag of Ireland WG Mossie Lawlor (Shannon)
Flag of Ireland WG Kieran Lewis (Garryowen)
Flag of Ireland WG Ciaran O'Boyle (Garryowen)
Flag of Ireland CE Keith Earls (Garryowen)
Flag of Ireland CE Tom Gleeson (Cork Constitution)
Flag of Tonga CE Lifeimi Mafi (Nenagh Ormond)
Flag of Ireland CE Barry Murphy (UL Bohemians)
Flag of New Zealand CE Rua Tipoki
Flag of New Zealand FH Jeremy Manning (Cork Constitution)
Flag of Ireland FH Ronan O'Gara (Cork Constitution) (Vice Captain)
Flag of Australia FH Paul Warwick
Flag of Ireland SH Gerry Hurley (Garryowen)
Flag of Ireland SH Tomás O'Leary (Dolphin)
Flag of Ireland SH Peter Stringer (Shannon)
Nat. A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Denis Hurley born 15 July, 1984 is a Rugby union player for Munster in the Magners League. Cork Constitution' is a Rugby Union club based in Cork. It was founded by staff of the Cork Constitution. A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 UL Bohemian is an AIL Division 1 rugby club based in Thomond Park Limerick. A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Brian Carney (born 23 July 1976 in Cork, Ireland) is a Rugby union player for Munster. Clonakilty RFC' is an Irish Rugby union Club.They play in Division 2 of the All-Ireland League. A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Ian Dowling ( Kilkenny, October 5, 1982) is an Irish professional rugby player Shannon Rugby Football Club is an Amateur Rugby union team from Ireland, they hail from Limerick near the banks of the Shannon river A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Anthony Horgan (born 15 November, 1976) is an Irish rugby player Cork Constitution' is a Rugby Union club based in Cork. It was founded by staff of the Cork Constitution. A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Douglas Charles Howlett is a professional New Zealand Rugby union player of Tongan descent A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Shannon Rugby Football Club is an Amateur Rugby union team from Ireland, they hail from Limerick near the banks of the Shannon river A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Kieran Lewis born 19 August, 1980 is a Rugby union player for Munster in the Magners League. Garryowen Football Club', usually referred to as Garryowen, is a Rugby union club in Limerick, Republic of Ireland, founded in 1884 A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Garryowen Football Club', usually referred to as Garryowen, is a Rugby union club in Limerick, Republic of Ireland, founded in 1884 A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Keith Earls born 2 October, 1987 in Moyross, Limerick, Ireland is a Rugby union player for Munster in the Garryowen Football Club', usually referred to as Garryowen, is a Rugby union club in Limerick, Republic of Ireland, founded in 1884 A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Cork Constitution' is a Rugby Union club based in Cork. It was founded by staff of the Cork Constitution. A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Lifeimi Mafi born 15th of August 1982 is a professional rugby player with Munster Rugby, Ireland Nenagh Ormond RFC' is an Irish Rugby union Club. They play in Division 3 of the All-Ireland League. A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Barry Murphy (born 28 November 1982) is an Irish Rugby union footballer UL Bohemian is an AIL Division 1 rugby club based in Thomond Park Limerick. A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Te Rua Reihana Tipoki (born 11 August 1975 in Te Puia Springs, New Zealand) brought up in Te Araroa in Gisborne, is a A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Jeremy Manning (born New Zealand, September 11 1985) plays fly-half for Munster. Cork Constitution' is a Rugby Union club based in Cork. It was founded by staff of the Cork Constitution. A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Ronan John Ross O'Gara (born 7 March 1977 in San Diego, California) is an Irish Rugby union footballer occupying the position for both Cork Constitution' is a Rugby Union club based in Cork. It was founded by staff of the Cork Constitution. A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Paul Warwick born 1 August, 1981 in Australia is a Rugby union player for Munster in the Magners League. A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Gerry Hurley born 16 May, 1984 in Midleton, County Cork, Ireland is a Rugby union player for Munster in the Garryowen Football Club', usually referred to as Garryowen, is a Rugby union club in Limerick, Republic of Ireland, founded in 1884 A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Tomás O'Leary (born 22 October, 1983) is an Irish Rugby Union player playing in the scrum half position for Munster and Dolphin Rugby Football Club' is a Rugby union club in Cork. It was founded in 1902 by members of Dolphin Swimming Club seeking to find a wintertime A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Peter Alexander Stringer (born 13 December 1977) is an Irish Rugby union footballer who plays at scrum half for Munster and Ireland Shannon Rugby Football Club is an Amateur Rugby union team from Ireland, they hail from Limerick near the banks of the Shannon river Position Player
Flag of Ireland PR Tony Buckley (Shannon)
Flag of Ireland PR John Hayes (Bruff R.F.C.)
Flag of Ireland PR Marcus Horan (Shannon)
Flag of Ireland PR Darragh Hurley (Cork Constitution)
Flag of Italy PR Federico Pucciariello (Old Crescent)
Flag of Ireland PR Tim Ryan (Cork Constitution)
Flag of Ireland HK Jerry Flannery (Shannon)
Flag of Ireland HK Denis Fogarty (Cork Constitution)
Flag of Ireland HK Frankie Sheahan (Cork Constitution)
Flag of Ireland LK Mark Melbourne (Garryowen)
Flag of Ireland LK Donncha O'Callaghan (Cork Constitution)
Flag of Ireland LK Paul O'Connell (Young Munster) (Captain)
Flag of Ireland LK Mick O'Driscoll (Cork Constitution)
Flag of Ireland LK Donnacha Ryan (Shannon)
Flag of Ireland FL Denis Leamy (Cork Constitution)
Flag of Ireland FL Alan Quinlan (Shannon)
Flag of Ireland FL Niall Ronan (Shannon)
Flag of Ireland FL David Wallace (Garryowen)
Flag of Ireland N8 James Coughlan (Dolphin)
Flag of Ireland N8 Anthony Foley (Shannon)
Flag of Ireland N8 John O'Sullivan (Garryowen)

[15]

Players in (Season 2007/2008)

Players out (Season 2007/2008)


Notable Former Players

Major club competitions

Schools cups

References

  1. ^ Brendan Gallagher (30 Jan, 2002). A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Tony Buckley (born 8 October 1980is an Irish Rugby union player from Newmarket County Cork, who plays tighthead prop for Shannon Shannon Rugby Football Club is an Amateur Rugby union team from Ireland, they hail from Limerick near the banks of the Shannon river A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 John James "Bull" Hayes (b 2 November 1973, Cappamore, County Limerick) is an Irish Rugby union footballer Bruff Rugby Union Football Club is a Rugby Union club in the town of Bruff, in Ireland. A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Marcus Horan (born 7 September 1977) is an Irish Rugby union player who plays loose-head-prop for Munster and Ireland. Shannon Rugby Football Club is an Amateur Rugby union team from Ireland, they hail from Limerick near the banks of the Shannon river A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Darragh Hurley (8 October 1985 Kinsale Co Cork is an Irish Rugby Union footballer Cork Constitution' is a Rugby Union club based in Cork. It was founded by staff of the Cork Constitution. A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Federico Pucciariello (born 24 June 1975 in Rosario, Argentina) is an Argentine-born Italian Rugby union footballer Old Crescent' is a senior Rugby union club in Limerick. Old Crescent grew out of the Crescent College Munster School's cup A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Cork Constitution' is a Rugby Union club based in Cork. It was founded by staff of the Cork Constitution. A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Jerry Flannery (born 17 October 1978) is an Irish Rugby union player Shannon Rugby Football Club is an Amateur Rugby union team from Ireland, they hail from Limerick near the banks of the Shannon river A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Denis Fogarty (born 16 July 1983 in Limerick) and educated at Rockwell College. Cork Constitution' is a Rugby Union club based in Cork. It was founded by staff of the Cork Constitution. A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Frankie Sheahan (born August 27, 1976 in Toronto Canada) is a Hooker for Munster and Ireland. Cork Constitution' is a Rugby Union club based in Cork. It was founded by staff of the Cork Constitution. A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Mark Melbourne ( 15 April 1984, Clonmel, Co Tipperary) is an Irish rugby union footballer Garryowen Football Club', usually referred to as Garryowen, is a Rugby union club in Limerick, Republic of Ireland, founded in 1884 A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Donncha O'Callaghan (born March 23, 1979) is an Irish Rugby union footballer who was educated at Christian Brothers College Cork Cork Constitution' is a Rugby Union club based in Cork. It was founded by staff of the Cork Constitution. A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Paul O'Connell (born 20 October 1979 in Limerick) is an Irish Rugby union player who plays lock for Munster and Ireland Young Munster is a Rugby union club based in Limerick. It was founded in 1895 and plays its games at Tom Clifford Park in Rosbrien Limerick. A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Mick O'Driscoll (born October 8, 1978) is an Irish Rugby union player Cork Constitution' is a Rugby Union club based in Cork. It was founded by staff of the Cork Constitution. A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Donnacha Ryan born 11 December 1983 in Limerick, Ireland is a Rugby union player for Munster in the Magners League Shannon Rugby Football Club is an Amateur Rugby union team from Ireland, they hail from Limerick near the banks of the Shannon river A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Denis Leamy (born 27 November 1981 in Cashel) is an Irish professional Rugby union player Cork Constitution' is a Rugby Union club based in Cork. It was founded by staff of the Cork Constitution. A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Alan Quinlan (born 13 July 1974 is an Irish rugby player He plays for Munster. Shannon Rugby Football Club is an Amateur Rugby union team from Ireland, they hail from Limerick near the banks of the Shannon river A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Niall Ronan born 14 September, 1982 is a Rugby union player for Munster in the Magners League. Shannon Rugby Football Club is an Amateur Rugby union team from Ireland, they hail from Limerick near the banks of the Shannon river A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 David Wallace ( Irish name: Dáithí de Bhailis) was born 8 July 1976 in Limerick City, County Limerick Garryowen Football Club', usually referred to as Garryowen, is a Rugby union club in Limerick, Republic of Ireland, founded in 1884 A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 James Coughlan born 6 December, 1980 is a Rugby union player for Munster in the Magners League. Dolphin Rugby Football Club' is a Rugby union club in Cork. It was founded in 1902 by members of Dolphin Swimming Club seeking to find a wintertime A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Shannon Rugby Football Club is an Amateur Rugby union team from Ireland, they hail from Limerick near the banks of the Shannon river A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 John O'Sullivan born 12 July, 1980 is a Rugby union player for Munster in the Magners League. Garryowen Football Club', usually referred to as Garryowen, is a Rugby union club in Limerick, Republic of Ireland, founded in 1884 Te Rua Reihana Tipoki (born 11 August 1975 in Te Puia Springs, New Zealand) brought up in Te Araroa in Gisborne, is a The Blues, formerly the Auckland Blues, are a professional New Zealand Rugby union franchise based in Auckland New Zealand which represents Niall Ronan born 14 September, 1982 is a Rugby union player for Munster in the Magners League. The Irish Rugby Football Union Leinster Branch (also known as Leinster Rugby) is one of four branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for Rugby union in Connacht Rugby (more commonly known as Connacht is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Connacht, that competes in the Magners League and the European Kieran Lewis born 19 August, 1980 is a Rugby union player for Munster in the Magners League. The Irish Rugby Football Union Leinster Branch (also known as Leinster Rugby) is one of four branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for Rugby union in For the speedway team see Canterbury Crusaders (speedway. The Crusaders (formerly the Douglas Charles Howlett is a professional New Zealand Rugby union player of Tongan descent The Blues, formerly the Auckland Blues, are a professional New Zealand Rugby union franchise based in Auckland New Zealand which represents Eoghan Hickey (born 29 October, 1981) is a professional rugby player for Guinness Premiership team London Irish. For the British Army regiment see London Irish Rifles London Irish (also known as The Exiles) is an English Rugby Trevor Halstead (born June 17, 1976 in Margate KwaZulu-Natal) is a former South African Rugby union footballer Christian Mathias Cullen (born 12 February 1976 in Paraparaumu) is a former Rugby union footballer who played most of his rugby at fullback Christopher Philip Wyatt (born 10 June 1975 in Newport) is a Welsh Rugby union footballer CS Bourgoin-Jallieu is a French Rugby union club currently competing in the top level of the French league system in the Top 14. John Kelly (born 18 April, 1974) is an Irish Rugby union footballer Peter Martin Noel Clohessy (born 22 March 1966 in Limerick) is a former Irish Rugby union footballer Michael Joseph "Mick" Galwey (b 8 October 1966, Currow near Castleisland, County Kerry, Republic of Ireland) won John Langford may refer to John Langford (engineer, the President of Aurora Flight Sciences John Langford (computer scientist, a Senior Researcher Donal Gerard Lenihan born in Cork on 12 September 1959) is a retired Irish Rugby union player with 52 international caps Tommy Moroney (born November 10 1923, Cork, Ireland; died 1981 is a former Irish soccer and Rugby union player Anthony Joseph Patrick Ward (born October 9 1954, Dublin, Ireland) commonly referred to as Tony Ward, was an Irish Rugby Keith Gerard Mallinson Wood (born 27 January 1972 Killaloe County Clare) and educated at St Munchin's College, Limerick is a former international rugby union Christian Mathias Cullen (born 12 February 1976 in Paraparaumu) is a former Rugby union footballer who played most of his rugby at fullback Mike Mullins (born Auckland, 29 October 1970) is a former New Zealand-born Irish rugby union footballer Trevor Halstead (born June 17, 1976 in Margate KwaZulu-Natal) is a former South African Rugby union footballer 1880s 1886 Bandon beat Garryowen 1887 Queens College beat Limerick County 1888 Queens College beat The Munster Senior League is a Rugby union competition for senior clubs in Munster that was first competed for in 1903 This Rugby union competition was established for the stronger junior clubs and the second teams of the Senior clubs in the province of Munster. The Munster Schools Junior Cup or Munster Junior Cup is the under-age rugby union competition for schools affiliated to the Munster Branch of the IRFU Ireland's great prop claws his way to 50. The Telegraph. Retrieved on 2008-05-24. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1218 - The Fifth Crusade leaves Acre for Egypt. 1276 - Magnus Ladulås is crowned
  2. ^ a b c Simon Lewis (3 July, 2003). New Munster kit and logo to save revenue, not exploit fans. Irish Examiner. Retrieved on 2007-03-13. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1138 - Cardinal Gregorio Conti is elected Antipope as Victor IV, succeeding Anacletus II.
  3. ^ Details for Thomond Park, Limerick. Worldstadia. com. Retrieved on 2007-03-13. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1138 - Cardinal Gregorio Conti is elected Antipope as Victor IV, succeeding Anacletus II.
  4. ^ a b Tigers storm Thomond Park. European Rugby Cup. Retrieved on 2007-03-13. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1138 - Cardinal Gregorio Conti is elected Antipope as Victor IV, succeeding Anacletus II.
  5. ^ a b Munster aim to start work in March. Thomondpark. ie. Retrieved on 2007-03-13. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1138 - Cardinal Gregorio Conti is elected Antipope as Victor IV, succeeding Anacletus II.
  6. ^ Hunt for Cup Final tickets heats up. The Irish Post. Retrieved on 2007-03-13. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1138 - Cardinal Gregorio Conti is elected Antipope as Victor IV, succeeding Anacletus II.
  7. ^ Kevin McDonnell (May 21, 2006). MUNSTER FANS. Sunday Mirror. Retrieved on 2007-01-31. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1504 - France cedes Naples to Aragon. 1606 - Gunpowder Plot: Guy Fawkes
  8. ^ Munster Rugby USA. Munster Rugby. Retrieved on 2007-03-13. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1138 - Cardinal Gregorio Conti is elected Antipope as Victor IV, succeeding Anacletus II.
  9. ^ Wasps Break Munster Hearts. European Rugby Cup. Retrieved on 2007-03-13. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1138 - Cardinal Gregorio Conti is elected Antipope as Victor IV, succeeding Anacletus II.
  10. ^ Battling Munster see off Perpignan. European Rugby Cup. Retrieved on 2007-03-13. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1138 - Cardinal Gregorio Conti is elected Antipope as Victor IV, succeeding Anacletus II.
  11. ^ The seventh Heineken Cup final. European Rugby Cup. Retrieved on 2007-03-13. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1138 - Cardinal Gregorio Conti is elected Antipope as Victor IV, succeeding Anacletus II.
  12. ^ Biarritz Move Into Final Four. European Rugby Cup. Retrieved on 2007-03-13. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1138 - Cardinal Gregorio Conti is elected Antipope as Victor IV, succeeding Anacletus II.
  13. ^ Leinster 27-20 Munster. BBC. Retrieved on 2007-03-13. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1138 - Cardinal Gregorio Conti is elected Antipope as Victor IV, succeeding Anacletus II.
  14. ^ The final curtain. BBC. Retrieved on 2007-03-13. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1138 - Cardinal Gregorio Conti is elected Antipope as Victor IV, succeeding Anacletus II.
  15. ^ Nat. shown here indicates sporting nationality as defined by the IRB

Further reading

External links

© 2009 citizendia.org; parts available under the terms of GNU Free Documentation License, from http://en.wikipedia.org
 Dapyx Software network: MP3 Explorer | Ebook Manager | Zenithic