Magners The Toast Of The Day

Munster CEO Garrett Fitzgerald, captain Paul O’Connell and team manager Shaun Payne were among the large attendance at last night’s Millennium Stadium Magners League awards ceremony that preceded the official launch of this year’s competition.

And while last night was about celebrating the season past with the announcement of various awards including a 2009/2010 Dream Team that included Tomas O'Leary, this morning was spent with photography and media work that began at 8am.

Last night's black tie affair attracted 220 guests to the Millennium Suite in Cardiff where Celtic Rugby Chairman John Hussey announced he would step down with Six Nations CEO John Feahan adding the role of Magners League CEO to his existing portfolio.

Speaking to media this morning Paul O'Connell expressing his wish to play in, 'as many Magners League games as he could', said the new season augered well for Munster despite the assumption they were an aging squad on a downward spiral. “Obviously we're all getting older and, the senior lads like myself I mean, but I think we've still a lot to give. We've recruited well with the likes of Sam Tuitupou, Johne Murphy, Peter Borlase and Wian (du Peez) but as well as that we have the likes of Leams (Denis Leamy), Felix (Jones) and Donncha Ryan back from injury as well as the lads who have come through from the British & Irish Cup side from last year.”

“So no I don't agree with those who say we're in for a few years of underachievement. A few of us don't have time for a few years of underachievement and we know that.”

In terms of goals, O'Connell lays it out in simple terms. “I think it's about consistency,” he said. “Last year we weren't consistent. We had some great performances like in Perpignan and against Northampton Saints. We want that type of performance more often this time around. Obviously my game time is determined by IRFU policy but I want to play in as many games as I can.”

Magners League Dream Team 2009/2010
B Blair (Cardiff Blues), T Bowe (Ospreys),  B O'Driscoll (Leinster), J Hook (Ospreys), T Visser (Edinburgh),  D Parks (Glasgow Warriors),  T O'Leary (Munster),  G Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), K Owens (Scarlets),  A Jones (Ospreys),  L Cullen (Leinster),  A Kellock (Glasgow Warriors),  J Collins (Ospreys),  J Barclay (Glasgow Warriors),  J Heaslip (Leinster).