IRELAND’S dramatic Test win over South Africa heralded a welcome pause to a season of mixed emotions.
During the long campaign, Munster’s unbeaten league run of 10 wins on the trot was halted by the eventual winners of the URC, Glasgow Warriors, smashing a chance of three home games in succession at Thomond Park.
There was earlier grief when Northampton stopped the Reds’ gallop in Franklin’s Gardens in the quarter-final of the Investec Heineken Cup.
Any of our four provinces failed to reap silverware.
A fancied Leinster suffered a cup defeat by Toulouse before an attendance of 62,800 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and the Irish side failed again when the Vodacom Bulls put paid to their league hopes in Pretoria.
Last Saturday’s Ireland victory in Durban would have given some solace to the international players.
It has been a long and tiring season, particularly for those who answered Ireland’s call during the Six Nations win and no doubt family responsibilities will take priority over the next two months.
On Friday, the battle for third place the World Rugby U20 Championship in South Africa takes place, with Ireland taking on New Zealand in Cape Town (3.30pm kick-off).
Limerick’s Evan O’Connell (UL Bohemian) was missed badly in the semi-final at the weekend when he had to cry off with an injury. England proved too good for the Irish in that game winning 31-20 but with former Rockwell player Brian Gleeson (Garryowen) now handed the captaincy and former PBC full back Ben O’Connor in fine form, the side just shade it over the All Blacks.
On the home scene, the main success of the past season was Garryowen’s return to the top table and they will be keen to make a bold bid to finish high in 1A at the end of 2023/2024.
In the junior ranks, Grove-Island based St Mary’s also have a challenge after their promotion to a higher division.
It’s emphasis on the promotion of under-age is proving very successful.
