Munster 2013/14

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Some news of players leaving Munster.

Doug Howlett has announced his retirement.

Other departures from the current squad - besides Peter Stringer who remains with Bath, Marcus Horan who announced his retirement recently, Sean Scanlon (Rotherham Titans) and Sean Henry (Connacht) - include Wian du Preez who returns to his native South Africa, Scott Deasy and Christy Condon.

BJ Botha will continue on with Munster having signed a two year contract extension while Danny Barnes has not been re-contracted but is understood to have negotiated an opportunity to play abroad and news of that will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

I think that it has to be last chance saloon time for the starting position for Keatley so would imagine he will be off quick smart if he is not performing.

Sheridan suffered a medial ligament injury to his right knee (same injury as Murray) against Ulster and is expected to be out for 4-6 weeks.

As for the team, looks pretty good to me though I'd have started Williams over Murray and brought him and JJ on earlyish in the second half to liven things up a bit. Keatley had better perform well this time or I can see him getting replaced early on.

Very strong looking bench which is great to see.

Anyone watching the game?

Unbelievable tackle and turnover by POM there.

Its been a very good game so far, Keatley has not played too badly but I would still bring JJ on for the second half.

2 very good tries scored by Munster and Glaws.

Just tuned in. Nice to hear the Fields of athenry going around Kingsholm.


Lovely try from Sharples there

Keatley needs to stop those little grubbers. They aren't working and they aren't the right option.

Time for JJ, Keatley is becoming predictable.

Good to see Murray last the whole 80 minutes.

Well that was a hard fought win. Glaws really butchered a few chances there...

Munster fans take a bow! Best fans in the world bar none. #weowntheshedtonight

Munster are not pretty but are not getting the credit for our defence, power and dominance in the pack.

Keatley played well tonight fair play to him.

Thought Johnny Murphy had his best match in red jersey and foley is starting to look like the real deal.

Bp win next week to see if we can get home QF and I would fancy us to beat anybody I'm thomond with the mood we are in

Come on Munster

Great game. Just back from it and haven't watched it on TV yet. Glad to see from the comments that our singing was heard... it was hard work against the Gloucester fans   . they were, as you might expect, generous to a fault and very gracious in defeat.

I thought special kudos to Keatley after the mare he had last week. Lovely to see Zebo back on the pitch. TOD played well and POM, I thought had his best game for a while (not just the try, but around the park). Downey's tap tackle was magic (didn't see who it was on but it was extremely invaluable). Murray was very good value.

Gloucester butchered a few chances but they will sort that out and then they will be serious contenders for honours.

Good win against a pumped Glaws side...

Just there is something about Ian....played ok today but....

Our midfield looks cumbersome, must say I would like to see Earls there he was a danger all through the game.

Good to see Munster basically through to the QFs. I thought your goose was cooked on the opening weekend. I haven't worked out the maths but can Munster get a home QF? No one would fancy having to go to Thomond (no change there).

If Munster had a quality centre partnership they'd be serious contenders. Keatley responded well to the debacle against Ulster, but you have to wonder how long Hanrahan has to continue kicking his heels before he is thrown in at the deepend.

Thats 15 quarter final appearances in 16 Heineken Cups for Munster.  Phenomenal record.

Artful_Dodger wrote:Thats 15 quarter final appearances in 16 Heineken Cups for Munster.  Phenomenal record.

It's actually unbelievable when you think about it. All those opening day defeats all those times when you were counting on bps and away wins. It's so easy to getted knocked out of this competition with 2 poor performances yet they have always pulled something out of the fire.

A bp win might get us home QF but we are dependant on other teams dropping points

Keatley responded very well, kicked well from hand and got some good attacking play going at times, one or two ill advised grubber kicks it was good. Some made their mind up on him before he arrived in Munster, and the perception of most will never hcnage, but having 2 competing tens is no bad thing.

Well done on the result lads, we enjoyed your company last night   

Thomond wrote:Keatley responded very well, kicked well from hand and got some good attacking play going at times, one or two ill advised grubber kicks it was good. Some made their mind up on him before he arrived in Munster, and the perception of most will never hcnage, but having 2 competing tens is no bad thing.

Sure he played well and I am happy for him, but he isn't the solution and I don't think we are capable of winning the competition with IK as out half. He is likely to do one of his disappearing acts next time ot. I hope not and am far from convinced when wemeet the big guns that he can do the job

Munster unlikely to get a home qf. Toulon losing in Glasgow is probably your best chance. Leinster are even less likely as we would need you lads to score less than 4 v Embra aswell as the above. (oh and the small matter of putting 5 or 6 on the Ospreys)

for the 2nd year in a row we are fighting for the same spot. At least both of us likely to bestill in the comp

ME-109 wrote:

Thomond wrote:Keatley responded very well, kicked well from hand and got some good attacking play going at times, one or two ill advised grubber kicks it was good. Some made their mind up on him before he arrived in Munster, and the perception of most will never hcnage, but having 2 competing tens is no bad thing.

Sure he played well and I am happy for him, but he isn't the solution and I don't think we are capable of winning the competition with IK as out half. He is likely to do one of his disappearing acts next time ot. I hope not and am far from convinced when wemeet the big guns that he can do the job

This sums up my thoughts on IK completely, he just blows too hot and cold. A very worthwhile member of the squad and a replacement 10 but not a starter in my opinion. I have complete faith that JJ will not let the side down if given a start against one of the big clubs.

When Munster don't win the Heineken Cup it won't be because of Keatley and it won't be because of JJ. It will be because they are not good enough as a team at the moment. Probably won't be for several years.


The game doesn't come down to the outhalf alone, heck Munster won games back in the day when we could have had anyone at 10. You can make your ten look a lot better then he is if you play to your strengths. It's how Scotland won big games with Dan Parks as their outhalf. I like JJ and long term he has more skill and potential then Keatley (whether he realises it is another thing entirely) he will get plenty of time and is well in the mix, right now there isn't much between them, JJ will earn his spot for the QF if he is good enough.

Thomond wrote:When Munster don't win the Heineken Cup it won't be because of Keatley and it won't be because of JJ. It will be because they are not good enough as a team at the moment. Probably won't be for several years.


The game doesn't come down to the outhalf alone, heck Munster won games back in the day when we could have had anyone at 10. You can make your ten look a lot better then he is if you play to your strengths. It's how Scotland won big games with Dan Parks as their outhalf. I like JJ and long term he has more skill and potential then Keatley (whether he realises it is another thing entirely) he will get plenty of time and is well in the mix, right now there isn't much between them, JJ will earn his spot for the QF if he is good enough.

No disagreement there, but keatley is one of the weak links, namely at oh and midfield. However as the USAP and Ulster games have shown (and also the Edinburgh game) keatley playing in the pivotal position either needs to realize he has that position of responsibility and step up and not go missing which he consistently does. At the end of the day he is in a position where he can win or lose a game for the team. He as yet doesn't seem capable of making the difference when it matters. I am hoping he does but with regards to the question of JJ, well if he is good enough he is old enough and he certainly seems to understand the position better than keatley..

Another good thing from yesterdays game was that POM, POC and Murray were in constant communication and all three were immense in terms of defense and POM getting the important score. Interesting considering the comments from the POM dislike shown on previous pages...

Onwards and upwards...looks like it could be an away QF...given the way the pack is playing I wouldnt fear anyone except for Toulouse at this stage.

Saturday was my first Munster game in a few years, forgot just how amazing the atmosphere is at their games, was in the shed and it was electric from an hour before KO!!

IK must have been instructed to stick with the gubber kicks because (try apart) they were pretty awful and I cant see why any player would keep doing them unless told by the coaches!

POC and POM were fantastic in the pack and I thought Downey also had a great game at 12, solid in defence, very under rated player I think!

I live in London, but was born in Cork, support London Irish firstly but always cheer on Munster, would be all over the QF if in England!!!

petethepete wrote:Saturday was my first Munster game in a few years, forgot just how amazing the atmosphere is at their games, was in the shed and it was electric from an hour before KO!!

Looked and sounded brilliant on the TV. Both of supporters going at it hammer and thong with every Munster supporter in the ground probably waving 2 flags make it look even more red.

It does look like away QF as I fancy Toulon to beat Glasgow in a game that really matters to them. Clermont might actually put up 50 points on Racing.

Thomond wrote:When Munster don't win the Heineken Cup it won't be because of Keatley and it won't be because of JJ. It will be because they are not good enough as a team at the moment. Probably won't be for several years.

You seem very confident about Munster not winning the HC? I would not bet against them myself, I mean they got to the semi finals last year and nearly pulled that off.

All I am saying is that I don't have as much confidence in Keatley as I do in JJ. I think that the time is right for JJ and he would be a much better prospect in both attacking and defence for Munster in the big games. Agree or not but 10 is a very pivotal position within the balance of a team if not the most important position.

Munster player rating system. Its on Munsterfans website.


At the moment POM leads the rankings on an average rating of 7.4 for the season.
Next up are Hanrahan, James Cronin and Sean Dougal who are all on 7.1.
Keatley is near the bottom with 6.1.
POC is only on 6.6 which suggests he hasn't been at his best all season.


Its fairly accurate from what I can see. The main thing there is difference between Hanrahan and Keatley!

That's gratitude for you.

profitius wrote:Munster player rating system. Its on Munsterfans website.


At the moment POM leads the rankings on an average rating of 7.4 for the season.
Next up are Hanrahan, James Cronin and Sean Dougal who are all on 7.1.
Keatley is near the bottom with 6.1.
POC is only on 6.6 which suggests he hasn't been at his best all season.


Its fairly accurate from what I can see. The main thing there is difference between Hanrahan and Keatley!

Another player from memory who is well up there is Johnny Murphy. Probably not getting enough credit for very consistent performances all year. Last weekend around the 65 min mark he made an unbelievable try saving tackle helped by Jones to push Glaws player out over the line.

A bonus point win now guarantees a home quarter final! Come on Munster the atmosphere tomorrow has just gone up a notch

I really hope that Munster pull it off, a home QF is such a massive advantage.

Yea they should go for it from the off! A win is no good so may as well go for it from the start

Defo a game for JJ if things aren't going well at half time.

I watched the game and Munster fans could be thankfull to Zebre if they get a home qf, what a defensive effort that was from them.

Good win although we were fairly pants in the first half. Got a grip on things in the second andfor once it was all over at 60 mins.

Home QF against Toulouse (how lucky!!). I can see good old Munster Senior Cup game with this as I bet Guy Noves will try to do to us what he did a few years ago and stick it up the jumper for most of the game and put us under pressure with that monster pack.

Zeebs was excellent and sparked the backline and it was a pity Earls went off as he has been in great form (although J Murphy has been great this year).

Cronin is definitely a better scrummager than Killer and was even more prominent in the loose in the second half. Kudos to Archer too he had a great game. Good to see we have good options at least for the front row.

TOD was great and given his ball carrying ability I would put him ahead of Henry for the Irish spot as his overall game is better. Coughlan was definitely motm, immense as usual.

All good and yes Keatley didnt make one mistake which is great but he had no pressure...

SF if we win will either be against Leinster or Toulon away would rather...another easy draw...

Another away semi that's 10 out of 13 the rugby gods are against us! When are we going to catch a break and get a home semi

BlueMuff wrote:Another away semi  that's 10 out of 13 the rugby gods are against us! When are we going to catch a break and get a home semi

I know and it cost me a bomb for most of the 2000's. Still I dont think we need to fear anyone if the pack keeps going the way it is. Zebo was the big difference for me in the backline. His delayed passing and inviting the players onto the ball was excellent.

BlueMuff wrote:Another away semi  that's 10 out of 13 the rugby gods are against us! When are we going to catch a break and get a home semi

Its a f++king joke.

Well done lads, another very strong performance - surprised more people aren't talking about Munster as potential winners this season ..... on paper they don't look as strong as some of the other teams but the results speak for themselves... if Ulster weren't still in I'd be sticking a fiver on you guys to lift the trophy.

See yous in the final  ....  

Thanks Rods. Wouldn't mind that final at all.

Other good news, Paul O'Connell has signed a new 2 year deal with IRFU!

http://www.independent.ie/sport/paul-oconnell-signs-new-twoyear-deal-with-the-irfu-29932053.html

Fair play Paulie. No messing around there!

Unlucky getting an away semi but sure thems the breaks.

BlueMuff wrote:Another away semi  that's 10 out of 13 the rugby gods are against us! When are we going to catch a break and get a home semi

Look at it another way, BlueMuff, the feeling that the gods are against us justifies hanging on to the chip we have had on our shoulder for generations   .

And yea, as ME-109 says, it has cost the fans a fortune in travel costs to follow the team. But, it has also contributed to the reputation of the Red Army. Conor O'Shea complained last year about the number of Munster fans at the Sf against Quins. I don't know about other Munster fans in England but I am regualrly getting emails from many English clubs from whom I have bought tickets ... The latest is Gloucester, but to be fair to them, they put all the tickets on immediate online sale and effectively invited Munster fans to buy them. The travelling army, we know, really is the 16th man and time after time those who continue to dig deep give great assistance to the team. Paulie and the others may be proud to pull on the red jersey and go out onto the field, but there is, imo, a genuine pride amongst the supporters that they (we) too have contributed.

It was very good last night to hear James Coughlan cautioning that we must not lose the run of ourselves at this stage. We have a QF to play and win. Every team in the last eight is capable of beating evry other one, home or away. We have a new generation of players who are beginning to write their own page in our illustrious history. Personally I think the win away at Perpignan was crucial in instilling belief in this team that they too can emulate their forbears in Red.

WE WILL HAVE NO TALK OF SEMI-FINALS UNTIL WE HAVE COMPLETED THE JOB AGAINST TOULOUSE.

KiaRose wrote:

BlueMuff wrote:Another away semi  that's 10 out of 13 the rugby gods are against us! When are we going to catch a break and get a home semi

Look at it another way, BlueMuff, the feeling that the gods are against us justifies hanging on to the chip we have had on our shoulder for generations   .  

And yea, as ME-109 says, it has cost the fans a fortune in travel costs to follow the team.  But, it has also contributed to the reputation of the Red Army.  Conor O'Shea complained last year about the number of Munster fans at the Sf against Quins.  I don't know about other Munster fans in England but I am regualrly getting emails from many English clubs from whom I have bought tickets ... The latest is Gloucester, but to be fair to them, they put all the tickets on immediate online sale and effectively invited Munster fans to buy them.  The travelling army, we know, really is the 16th man and time after time those who continue to dig deep give great assistance to the team.  Paulie and the others may be proud to pull on the red jersey and go out onto the field, but there is, imo, a genuine pride amongst the supporters that they (we) too have contributed.

It was very good last night to hear James Coughlan cautioning that we must not lose the run of ourselves at this stage.  We have a QF to play and win.  Every team in the last eight is capable of beating evry other one, home or away.  We have a new generation of players who are beginning to write their own page in our illustrious history.  Personally I think the win away at Perpignan was crucial in instilling belief in this team that they too can emulate their forbears in Red.

WE WILL HAVE NO TALK OF SEMI-FINALS UNTIL WE HAVE COMPLETED THE JOB AGAINST TOULOUSE.

Post of the week - all so true. I am getting ticket mails from Sarries, Wasps, Gloucester, Leicester and Quinns.

Its just amazing to see the away support that Munster have built up over the years and if we have to travel to Montpellier to see them against Toulon I can only imagine the numbers will be huge again. Dublin would be a better option though   

On the pitch we dont really have too many stand out players but what we now have is competition in almost every position. Just look at the bench yesterday with the likes of Zebo replacing Earls and Cronin replacing Killer. D Ryan will be back soon but would you drop Dave Foley? Even Dineen is starting to push Downey at 12.

Class win yesterday boys, hoping you go all the way   

Good win, Edinburgh faded very quickly. The Keatley and JJ experiement might have potential, but we would need a better backup to be signed before trying it on a longer time basis.


Let's hope Leinster win, for a home semi in Lansdowne and a win v Toulouse (they are not as strong as before but must be taken with caution), cut down on costs (a home semi would have been played there anyway) and it would be a cracker.

EnglishReign wrote:Class win yesterday boys, hoping you go all the way   

Thank you English Reign. You were generous also when we beat your own team last week - typical of a Glaws fan. I hope that after your display against Munster last week and this weekend against Perpignan your season is turning around.

Thomond wrote:Good win, Edinburgh faded very quickly. The Keatley and JJ experiement might have potential, but we would need a better backup to be signed before trying it on a longer time basis.


Let's hope Leinster win, for a home semi in Lansdowne and a win v Toulouse (they are not as strong as before but must be taken with caution), cut down on costs (a home semi would have been played there anyway) and it would be a cracker.

Not sure if you saw both games for Toulouse against the funny hat crowd but in both games they comprehensively hammered them in, by strangling the life out of the game. Guy Noves will love coming to Thomond park and he has the team and gameplan to win 3-0 ala Shannon v Young Munster in a Munster senior cup game. The only positive for us is that dusattoir might be out as he is the equivalent of Roy Keane to Fergie in relation to Toulouse.

From what I remember of the first game, it was close on the scoreboard but Toulous were comfortable. It's a really big test for the Munster pack. First one since Clermont last season. Backs won't be seeing a lot of it I imagine, although if they get Downey to run hard and straight it miht work, for waht he is supposed to be there for I think he is completely misused by Munster.

Toulouse may have a huge pack and some flyers in the backs but Munster are the most street-wise team I've seen all season. An absolute bloody nightmare to play against when they're digging their heels in and I hope ye get right under the skin of the French. There could be a fair bit of niggle in this one  

Earls signs up for another 2 years