Reaction To A Great Weekend For Munster

It was a fantastic weekend as Munster secured a Heineken Cup quarter final spot after beating Gloucester at Kingsholm and Munster A clinched a last-gasp bonus-point in their win against Nottingham.

It is the 15th time that Munster have qualified for the last eight with thousands of away fans in attendance at Kingsholm.

Since the win on Saturday, praise for the side and the travelling support has been flowing in from home and abroad.

Billy Keane from the Irish Independent

“Munster took over 'The Shed'. This was no bicycle shed or even a turf shed, but the spiritual and physical home of Gloucester rugby.

"'The Fields of Athenry' could be heard above the local anthems. 'Stand Up and Fight' stirred the Cotswold night. Close your eyes and put a clothes peg on your nose to keep out the smell of pork pies and this could have been Thomond.

"The 16th man has become a bit of a cliché by now, but there is not a man among those Munster players who does not value the travelling supporters in the times that are in it."

David Kelly from the Irish Independent

"No miracles required this time. Indeed, the only enduring phenomena this weekend were other familiar Munster traits — their ability to consistently respond to setbacks and withstand pressure, combined with their supporters' ever-resourceful aptitude to inveigle themselves intimately in enemy territory."

Munster Head Coach Rob Penney on Paul O'Connell

"Some players are once in a lifetime or a generation. How many players of Paul's ability has Ireland, or any team in the world, had? He is a genuinely world-class player who leads from the front and we are desperately keen to make sure he stays with us. He is as red as you get, Munster through and through.

“They are massive shoes to fill, asking young blokes to step up and overtake him. There are some good ones there coming along, I thought Fols [Dave Foley] was exceptional for a first start in a Heineken Cup. That’s just so pleasing for the future that someone like him is now gnawing away at the heels and you could probably just about say he is up there matching the footwork of the big boys in front of him, which is great.”

Gloucester Director of Rugby Nigel Davies

"Paul O'Connell is phenomenal.

"There are certain characters in teams that have a huge influence and effect. It is not just his ability as a rugby player, it's how he galvanises the team, and his sheer presence is a huge factor for Munster."

Paul Rees from the Guardian

“Paul O'Connell may still have to commit himself to Munster beyond the end of the season but he remains the heartbeat of a side which is formidably difficult to beat in Europe.

“Gloucester, unrecognisable from the passive shambles which quickly fell apart at home to Saracens the previous week, asked searching questions of the visitors but at the heart of everything for Munster was their 34-year-old second-row for whom age has not diminished desire.”

Rob Penney on the possibility of an away quarter final

“Well, we beat Perpignan away, we’ve won here away. To me it doesn’t have any relevance at all. If we prepare well and individuals prepare well, it doesn’t matter. The rugby field’s the same size and Munster supporters travel everywhere so it’s like a home game anyway.”

Munster host Edinburgh at Thomond Park on Sunday at 12:45pm in their final Heineken Cup pool game.

Don't miss out on your chance to get behind Munster in what is always a great day out – Heineken Cup Rugby in Thomond Park!

Tickets are available online here.