What's happening here?
It’s May 2, 2009 and reigning champions Munster are playing Leinster in the semi-final of the Heineken Cup at Croke Park where a world record crowd for a club game – 82, 208 – have gathered at the mighty GAA citadel. During this period, with Lansdowne Road being converted into the present Aviva Stadiam, Croke hosted four seasons of Six Nations games for Ireland but no rugby occasion was bigger than this allIreland fight for bragging rights.
What's the story behind the picture?
Irish rugby was on an all-time high. Less than two months earlier the boys in green had finally fulfilled their obvious potential and claimed a first Ireland Grand Slam in 61 years with the narrowest of wins over Wales in Cardiff. The celebrations were still in full flow. The recession of autumn 2008 had badly wounded the Celtic Tiger economically but on the rugby pitch it was still full steam ahead.
In May 2009 both Munster and Leinster were on fire and one of them was guaranteed a place in the final. For the best part of a decade, however, it had been Munster who had hogged the limelight in Ireland. Two Heineken Cup trophies, two other losing finals and many other epic high profile campaigns. They, in many ways, had become the face of Irish rugby and their passionate supporters were revered around the continent.
Denne historien er fra August 23, 2020-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra August 23, 2020-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.
