Match Officials Remember Munster v New Zealand 40 Years On

The 12-0 triumph by Munster over New Zealand at Thomond Park on Tuesday 31 October 1978 remains a defining moment in the history of Munster Rugby.

For the Munster Association of Referees, the occasion holds a special place as two of the association’s members, Martin Walsh and John Cole, were appointed as touch judges for the match.

Next Wednesday marks the 40^th anniversary of the historic moment and remains the only victory recorded by any Irish team over New Zealand on Irish soil.

Together Martin and John have over 90 years of refereeing experience with Martin joining the MAR in 1970 and John following shortly after in 1973.

Joined by Welsh referee, Corris Thomas, Martin and John oversaw a contest that has endured throughout the decades.

Thomas said: “There was so many people at the match, some were actually sitting on the grass! That was then followed by something I never forgot, it was the good nature of the crowd. Despite the closeness and excitement of the game there was no abuse aimed at the referee.

“As for the game itself, I will never forget the Dennison tackle. The All Black player just crumbled as if he had hit a brick wall and every Munster player immediately grew by around a foot. You could all but see it. The tackle defined and changed the game.”

What followed over the 80 minutes has been well documented down through the years, “The Tackle” by Seamus Dennison on Stuart Wilson, the drop goals from Tony Ward complimented by his jinking runs, the try from Christy Cantillon but what stands out for us is what happened when the final whistle blew.

Spotting a young supporter picking up the match ball, John approached him and asked for the ball back, with the young man duly obliging the match official.

L/R: Match Officials Martin Walsh and John Cole

John then informed Martin that he had secured the ball and was told to stick it up his jumper and stay close behind him, while the Munster fans flooded onto the pitch.

John (shepherded by his colleague) made their way to the safety of the referee’s dressing room and once there, it was stowed into a gear bag and taken home.

Several days later while opening his post at home John received a three pounds and eight shillings bill for the match ball, a worthwhile investment for a small piece of history.

The ball was eventually donated to a charity auction by the Munster Branch where it raised over £1,000 for the international aid charity, GOAL.

40 years later, Martin and John are still active members of the MAR with Martin continuing to attend meetings and sharing anecdotes from his career, which are always worth a listen.

John is still an active match official with the IRFU and is appointed to games as a citing commissioner, while also acting as a timekeeper for professional games in Thomond Park when not appointed abroad.

If you are interested in becoming a match official, please contact the Munster Association of Referees at munsterreferee@gmail.com or follow @MunsterReferee across social platforms for details of upcoming new members courses.