TWENTY years ago, amid scenes never witnessed at Lansdowne Road either before or since, Young Munster celebrated their historic All Ireland league win in their own unique way.
As Ireland’s most colourful club with a huge support base, the razzmatazz that surrounded their most important match was something to behold.
On February 13, 1993, some 20,000 people turned up to see the rugby aristocrats of St. Mary’s College take on the might of Munsters, creating a record for a club game that’s unlikely to be surpassed.
The vast majority travelled from the Treaty city and the atmosphere created on that unforgettable Saturday has gone into Limerick and Young Munster folklore.
Nothing could have prepared the Mary’s supporters for the culture shock they were about to experience as the Munsters crowd streamed into the stadium bedecked in their black and amber.
Never before had they or the Dublin rugby alicadoos seen the likes of the late Dodo Redden and her dogs in their pram – all decked out in their club regalia as they made their way into the legendary sporting arena.
The culture shock didn’t stop there – there was the epic tale of the Young Munster goat, the club mascot who made his way by train to the final. Despite the protests of Irish Rail staff, the goat was put on the train as he was the possessor a return ticket purchased for him at Colbert Station.
Dodo and her dogs weren’t quite so privileged as they had to travel to the game in a goods wagon.
During the trip, the goat had an accident and did his business. The rest is left to imagination!
Then there was the problem of getting the goat to the game from Heuston station.
Taxi drivers refused to take him for obvious reasons, but showing true Limerick resilience, his handlers managed to persuade the driver of a coal truck to bring the Munsters mascot to the scene of its greatest triumph.
But that wasn’t the end of the problems as stadium staff initially refused the animal entry. However, by force of numbers, the massed crowd from ‘Behind The Monument’ encouraged the men at the stiles to let the goat into the grounds.
That was the second culture shock for the Mary’s supporters – a dressed up goat not just in D4 and in the hallowed surrounds of Lansdowne Road!
For the record the score was Young Munster 17 – St. Mary’s 14.
The drama still wasn’t over, particularly for the goat, as the train staff were adamant that the goat was not getting on the train on the way back to the ‘Killing Fields’ with the cup.
There was nothing for it but to put the goat on a bus carrying supporters home – and right on cue, he did his business again!
To recall that eventful day, a special celebration titled ‘The Spirit of ‘93’ will be held in the Greenhills Hotel on this Friday February 15. Among the players expected to be in attendance are rugby legend Peter Clohessy, Ray Ryan, Peter Meehan and Francis Brosnahan.
A special invitation has been sent to television rugby analyst Brent Pope who played for St. Mary’s on that day and was involved in an altercation with an opponent.
Former Young Munster President Fergal Deegan, who is organising the night along with Michael O Donoghue, told the Post: “I hope that day is remembered for more than the activities of the goat!”
“It was a special occasion with our anthem Beautiful Munsters ringing around Lansdowne Road. It will be remembered by all those who were there and the many more back home in Limerick.
“It will also provide an opportunity to remember those now deceased club members who were a part of that day including Paddy Benson, who was Club President at the time, and another former President, Hugh McGrath”, he recalled.
