Munster Rugby - We DID start the fire (Part 1)

[caoimhaoin]

Newstalk have embarrassed themselves.

[GeoffreyBoycott]

@Sidney

Sean McCahill (brother of former All Black Bernie) and Sunday’s Well were a staple of Sunday night sports highlights action with Jim Sherwin and a young Ryle Nugent as they powered through AIL Division 2 circa 1994/95.

They had Ken O’Connell as well in the back row.

[gilgamboa]

That stat cannot be right?

[gilgamboa]

Rob Saunders missed touch

[myboyblue]

+1. Conor Neville has been mugged off here.

[gilgamboa]

I could probably tell you 1000 Ken O Connel stories. One of the funniest individuals you could ever meet. A genuinely mad bastard.

“Most fellas have calves, I’ve got cows”

[ciarancareyshurlingarmy]

I know that. It took a very long time.

And it is “Ballysteen’s Mick Fitzgibbon”

[Sidney]

A new cap against France in the Parc in 1994 if I remember correctly. I think that may have been his only cap.

The “new cap” is a much missed phrase in the game of rugby union football, you never knew who could be drafted in. Gone the way of the Probables and the Possibles.

[gilgamboa]

He got at least one more I think. He wouldn’t have been politically correct enough . Would thrive in the pro game now

[GeoffreyBoycott]

@ciarancareyshurlingarmy

And it is “Ballysteen’s Mick Fitzgibbon”

You obviously didn’t watch much interpro rugby on Sports Stadium in the mid to late 1980’s. Mick Fitzgibbon was the star turn on the Connacht team.

[GeoffreyBoycott]

@Sidney

A new cap against France in the Parc in 1994 if I remember correctly. I think that may have been his only cap.

The “new cap” is a much missed phrase in the game of rugby union football, you never knew who could be drafted in. Gone the way of the Probables and the Possibles.

Yes, he was first capped at Paris in 1994. His other cap was off the bench in the win at Twickenham in 1994.

There was a great tradition back then of openside flankers getting their only cap in Paris - Don Whittle of Bangor in 1988 and Paul Hogan, Garryowen in 1992.

[ciarancareyshurlingarmy]

@Sidney

A new cap against France in the Parc in 1994 if I remember correctly. I think that may have been his only cap.

The “new cap” is a much missed phrase in the game of rugby union football, you never knew who could be drafted in. Gone the way of the Probabales and the possibles.

The whites and blues final trial. The big five. The Berkeley Court. Baggy jerseys. Sacrificial new caps in the backrow for Paris. Outrageous nepotism. The popular side. Buckets of sand. Proper touring sides with midweek games. Garryowen arrogance. The killing fields. Meaningful club games. Alcohol as the only drug allowed. All blacks visiting every 4 to 6 years. Drinking aftershave. 12 stone players. Skillful french backs. Hardy bastards in the scottisk pack. Terraces at internationals. Cred Fogley. Bill McLaren. Genuinely fat players. University rugby. Club loyalty. The wanderers clubhouse. All gone.

Rugby lost it’s soul 15 years ago.

[caoimhaoin]

Have you met Ken? One of the greats, in a person sense.

[ciarancareyshurlingarmy]

@GeoffreyBoycott

@ciarancareyshurlingarmy

And it is “Ballysteen’s Mick Fitzgibbon”

You obviously didn’t watch much interpro rugby on Sports Stadium in the mid to late 1980’s. Mick Fitzgibbon was the star turn on the Connacht team.

[caoimhaoin]

I know his brother quite well, have not seen him in a while, but equally mad. Great laugh those lads.

[gilgamboa]

Skinnel?

Don’t know him personally but would have heard plenty about him!

[caoimhaoin]

Great post

[Tim_Riggins]

That’s a belter

[caoimhaoin]

Yip. Had some absolutely amazing 4.30 in the AM conversations with him.

You don’t get much more chilled out. You won’t find sounder though.

[GeoffreyBoycott]

@ciarancareyshurlingarmy

The whites and blues final trial. The big five. The Berkeley Court. Baggy jerseys. Sacrificial new caps in the backrow for Paris. Outrageous nepotism. The popular side. Buckets of sand. Proper touring sides with midweek games. Garryowen arrogance. The killing fields. Meaningful club games. Alcohol as the only drug allowed. All blacks visiting every 4 to 6 years. Drinking aftershave. 12 stone players. Skillful french backs. Hardy bastards in the scottisk pack. Terraces at internationals. Cred Fogley. Bill McLaren. Genuinely fat players. University rugby. Club loyalty. The wanderers clubhouse. All gone.

Rugby lost it’s soul 15 years ago.

Post of the year.