Did Judge Tom O’Donnell play a major role in helping Munster to their superb win at the building site, aka Thomond Park, on Sunday? His prudent decision to allow all pubs to officially open two hours ahead of normal time was more significant than may be generally recognised.

Many, after all, could hardly be expected to get out of bed on a Sunday morning, walk to the ground, and be expected to sing and cheer as loudly as the 12,000 did for about two hours?

Our Judge Tom is a million miles away from Judge Judy of television fame and fortune.

His practical decision to grant the two hour early opening gave supporters a chance to meet early, go together to the game, have a couple of pints beforehand and get in the mood.

The general opening, I am sure, did major to the very small number of publicans who breach the licensing laws each and every Sunday by allowing customers in at any time from 9 onwards.

Before you rush to call me a hypocrite let me state openly that many is the Sunday I gladly availed of the early morning opportunities.

But I always felt guilty, and afraid, when doing so.

Guilty because I knew it was not the action of a normal drinker and afraid lest the Gardai would knock on the door and prosecute me!

But those days are no more and I now think the Gardai should be more active in putting a stop to this early morning illegal trade.

If a licence exists for early morning opening that is fine. But if such official permission does not exist then those people should be halted in their tracks.

Getting back to Thomond Park, it was a fabulous occasion. Everyone did a fantastic job

But on Sunday evening a met a very disgruntled supporter.