Where It Began
It was back in 1995 that Munster set sail in the Heineken Cup on a journey that has captured the imagination of those far beyond the provincial boundary
Munster’s first venture into European Cup rugby came in Thomond Park on Wednesday November 1st 1995 when they squared up to the Stuart Davis led All-Whites from Swansea.
Captain for Munster that day was Shannon’s Pat Murray (pictured) with current manager Jerry Holland the team coach.
The midweek crowd of just over 6,000 was swelled by several hundred from Swansea who saw victory snatched from their grasp by a Pat Murray try scored to the left of the posts with just three minutes of normal time left on the clock to give the home side a 17-13 victory.
It was an enthralling encounter throughout with Munster trailing 13-10 as the game entered the final quarter, Murray grabbing the vital score and Kenny Smith converting for another famous victory.
ScorersKen Smith (try, 2 cons, pen), P Murray (try)) Munster Pat Murray capt (Shannon); Richard Wallace (Garryowen), Dan Larkin (Garryowen), Sean McCahill (Sunday’s Well), Ken Smith (Garryowen); Paul Burke (Cork Con), David O’Mahony (Cork Con); John Fitzgerald (Young Munster), Terry Kingston (Dolphin), Peter Clohessy (Young Munster); Mick Galwey (Shannon), Gabriel Fulcher (Cork Con); Eddie Halvey (Shannon), David Corkery (Terenure), Anthony Foley(Shannon).
Replacements
Brian Toland (Old Crescent) for Halvey (32nd min).
Michael Fitzgerald (Young Munster) for John Fitzgerald (temp).
Referee: Ed Morrisson (RFU).