Memories To Cherish For Gaffney

Departing Munster coach Alan Gaffney savoured as much as he could of Saturday’s Celtic Cup final celebrations for the long flight back home to Sydney on Tuesday.

The 27-16 win over Scarlets marked a victorious closing chapter in the Australian’s three-year career with the province, and his second piece of silverware following on from the 2003 Celtic League title.

“The memories I will take back to Australia with me are generally of the Irish people and how I have been treated since I arrived in this country,” admitted Gaffney in the aftermath at Lansdowne Road.

“I will not forget my time here. There is just so much I will remember.

“But it was not just important for me to win the Celtic Cup; it was mostly important for Munster – for the players, the supporters and everyone concerned with the province. The tradition and magic of Munster was here long before I arrived and it will be here long after I am gone.”

One of his most faithful foot soldiers since his transfer down south has been fly-half Ronan O’Gara, and the Corkman did not shirk any responsability in his first outing in nearly two months.

Back from knee ligament trouble, O’Gara put in a commanding display with his full house of points – a try, penalty, drop goal and three conversions – central to Munster’s success.

“After being on the sidelines, I have a great hunger for the game. I have had only three weeks off in the last five or six years and this injury has really made me hungry. The thought of going on the Lions tour really excites me now,” said O’Gara.

“I’ve missed rugby and these are a great bunch of lads to play with. The knee injury was a bade one and I want to thank Ger Hartmann (physio) for getting it right. He has done wonders. I just feel a whole lot more stable from the lower half down.”

O’Gara, along with Munster’s three other 2005 Lions, link up with Sir Clive Woodward’s squad on Tuesday.