Unfortunately Dewi’s stolen my thunder a bit with his piece on the Ulster squad for Thomond, nevertheless there is mileage in the theme still.
As precedents go, it is perhaps not quite exact, but a few years back now when the Celtic League was in its infancy, Ulster travelled to the antiquated version of Thomond Park for a semi final version of the competition. Hopes were higher than a psychedelic band front man with ‘Munster on the slide’ type ramblings permeating all versions of the northern media.
The Ulster Faithfull’s message board had been in full war cry with lots of comic asides such as ‘bring a torch in case the floodlights fail,’ a reference to the failure of floodlights a few weeks previously in the even more antiquated Musgrave Park. Someone mentioned the failure at the first stage, of the Claw’s rally car on its debut in the Galway rally as a portent of ill health in Munster rugby. All the while the Munster fans remained eerily silent in the build up as Ulster supporters prepared to travel south in big numbers and optimum optimism, unchecked.
Versions differ as to the atmosphere in Thomond Park that night, but for me it was grim, with the taut faced Munster faithful staring stonily out unto the pitch as the teams took the field. The result is history. Ulster never got their machine going and like The Claw’s rally car, stalled at the first stage with Justin Fitzpatrick being red carded on 10 minutes for having allegedly thrown the last punch after the whistle in a handbag type dust up sparked by a young Donacha O’Callaghan.
It’s history now as Munster took full advantage of a disorganised Ulster and gave them a stuffing comparable to the one Ulster gave them earlier this year. The Welsh referee on that night looked a trifle put out by the occasion and would appear to have panicked. It ruined a great night for the visiting support but I suppose one learns a few lessons on and off the pitch. Rolland is unlikely to be put out by any such atmosphere this time round not the least because there is little evidence of much Ulster support being on view in the revamped stadium, with ticket prices to match the modernity of the ground and facilities.
A glance at the press headlines both here and south of the border and you begin to feel a little tentative about history repeating itself.
‘Bad start not the beginning of the Munster’s end,’ ventures the venerable Thornley writing in the Irish Times. Other Times and Irish independent missives are rather self explanatory by the tone of their headlines, ‘Listless Munster in need of a tonic’, or ‘Payne insists Reds can gain from front row woes.’
The local Limerick and Cork press continue to ratchet up the ante.
Perhaps mindful of history repeating itself the Ulster camp remains cautious with, ‘Davidson wary of dangers that lie ahead’ and ‘Ulster boss wary of wounded Munster.’ headlines testifying to a desire not to become complacent or sucked into a high octane confrontation.
On Munsterfans message board there appears to be a complete breakdown of law and rugby order. At the risk of antagonising these guys, it seems almost Pythonesque, ‘Life of Brian’ or should that be, ‘life of Ronan’ pantomime as they whirl in ever decreasing circles looking for targets for increasing levels of angst. The forum headlines ring the pathos:
‘There’s no crisis,’ trumpets what appears to be a somewhat tongue in cheek post or ‘who is more important the manager or players’ cries another one. The most hysterical is reserved for the by now virtually crucified Laurie Fisher. The ponytailed forwards coach Fisher, is the subject of a, ‘Should Fisher be replaced’ poll and a ‘Laurie Fisher out,’ tell it straight post.
I’m inclined to think crisis what crisis myself and this is the usual whipping themselves into a fundamentalist, frenzy of fright in order to get themselves motivated for this match. In the big scheme of things – Ireland and the Heineken Cup, this match is not up there with the major games, though I in no way wish to denigrate it as having no importance to either the Munster or Ulster players or indeed both sets of fans.
Ulster supporters can look at it as another stepping stone towards Magners League credibility and belated recognition for some of our players mysteriously overlooked by Kidney. It is a stepping stone from which we may slip but it is not the end of world if we get beat, hence perhaps one of the reasons it’s not being targeted by Ulster supporters.
Perhaps that is the nub of the equation. For Munster it could become situation critical, for although it may not rank up there with the massive games of the past it is nevertheless a must win in terms of morale as the autumn hiatus looms for all but the internationals. Defeat by Ulster would not be entirely out of blue, unlike last season but it would flag up real questions as to Munster’s desire, the form and fitness of their star players and possibly spell the turning point in Provincial supremacy.
Ulster meanwhile appear rather relaxed in mindset without being overconfident, the nettle is theirs to grasp and take the sting out off. I believe the Ulster mindset is such that they can overcome the awakening of desperation in the Munster ranks that is being utilised as a motivational tool and go on and win this game without ever reaching the heights of last season’s victory down there.
The Ulster supporter dwells in a new found realm of realism as they seek explanation for an early turnaround in fortunes. They have grown accustomed to their team’s limitations, it’s strengths and have developed a healthy aversion to giddy headedness. It is easy to mock the Munsterfans because one has seen the same reactionary and feverish musings to Ulster’s misfortunes.
For now we can relax in the good weather so to speak whilst others shelter from the storm. Amongst those seeking relative security of port is the UAFC’s most notorious character and bug bear, none other than Neil Francis, Setanta pundit, ex international second row and Dublin based journo.
Watching and listening to Franno explain away Ulster’s win against Leinster on Saturday night on Setanta reminded me of a holiday I took aboard a barge on the River Thames. The barge was a big unwieldy boat constructed of a timber sub structure and steel superstructure. To stop its forward motion you merely put the engine in reverse and it ground to a halt. Our barge had weeds entangled in its propeller from the off, when we nearly crashed it into a lock gate. As the weeds became increasingly entangled so the barge became next to impossible to stop without lashing it to a lock buoy and holding on like grim death. As the trip progressed it became ever slower and more difficult to turn, culminating in us being overtaken by a rowing boat crewed by French on an afternoon leisure trip.
Franno on Saturday evening was the barge, hopelessly entangled in weeds, unable to turn and devoid of reverse gear, he crawled forward tying himself in knots. Leinster could score at will and would have won in dry weather he volunteered to a by now incredulous Setanta panel who reminded me of the French powered rowing boat. Er, so Leinster let Ulster win then Neil, gasped a completely bewildered Setanta anchorman as Franno found himself marooned on a sea of mendacity.
By Sunday Franno had found reverse gear, got the weeds out of his propeller and was busy changing tact quicker than an Olympic yachtsman, following pressure from ex-Ulster players who I think I’m right in saying, he said were friends. That he has friends from hereabouts says more for the congeniality of folks here than it does for Neil Francis’s rather rancid view of Ulster rugby. No pundit should have his critical facilities blighted by antagonisms towards institutions and people.
I wrote a fairly conciliatory piece, by my standards, about his last effort when Ulster played Connaught. Any pretence at even understanding what makes him tick is gone with Saturday night’s rubbish. (I do not use the word rubbish lightly!) I do not want to hear critics eulogising Ulster as being brill, (we have enough of our own supporters doing that), but I do want to hear objective criticism based on clear and unbiased reasoning. Francis does not consistently provide that sort unequivocal analysis and as such does Setanta less than proud.
I saw a post on the Munsterfans messageboard:
‘Franno sorts Munster rugby out!’
Maybe they really are in a mess. Alternatively if you ever needed a motivational ‘tool’ then there you have it in Neil Francis, oh dear!
As BJ Botha might say, ‘Neil Francis, who is he?’
Corrections, comments or questions?