Munster had to dig deep to get a victory over Llanelli last Sunday but you had to admire the team spirit of this side. They play for each other and have a deep respect for the jersey.

John Hayes, Jerry Flannery and Denis Leamy were outstanding in the pack, while Ronan O’Gara, Shaun Payne, Rua Tipoki and Ian Dowling stood out in the backs.

AIRBORNE: Ian Dowling, Munster in an aerial battle for the ball against Llanenelli Scarlets during the Heineken Cup clash last Sunday in Thomond Park. Picture: Keith Wiseman

Donncha Ryan came on for Mick O’Driscoll in the 63rd minute and was like a young greyhound, sprinting all over the field.

Donncha had an unhappy outing against Leinster but that was at Number 6. He is an excellent second row and was clearly delighted to get a run on Sunday. His reverse pass to Brian Carney, following a great run, almost resulted in a try.

Hopefully, coach Declan Kidney will give the young Shannon man a full game in the engine room against Connacht in the Magners League on Thursday December 27. 

The win last Sunday was all the more commendable as the forwards were clearly frustrated by referee Pearson’s interpretation of the contact area in the ruck.

Llanelli were all over the ball like a rash, taking red shirts out without the ball, and killing fast ball whenever they could.

If they did that a few years ago, they would have red stud marks on their backs to warn them not to come over the top again, but the laws have given the ref full power to intervene and when he fails to do so, the game suffers as a result.

The old Thomond Park crowd would have told the referee and his touch judges what they thought of this illegal behavior, but I don’t see many familiar faces in the crowd anymore and I hope when the ground is fully developed that the knowledgeable old rugby supporters are able to get their hands on a proportion of tickets to support their team.

The Munster teams who have lifted their play to perform superhuman tasks over the years have all acknowledged the part played by the Thomond Park supporters—the win over the mighty All Blacks in 1978; the long unbeaten record at Thomond Park in the Heineken Cup up to last seasons Leicester game; the thrilling wins against French and English opponents, particularly the matches against Francois Pienaar’s Saracens side, Sale, and Paul O’Connell’s tackle on Sebastian Chabal; and last but not least, the miracle match against Gloucester.