In Pics: Munster Celebrations
Click here for photos of the Munster players and supporters in celebratory mood after Saturday’s Heineken Cup quarter-final triumph over Perpignan.
Pictured above: The Munster fans get into the spirits of things as they create a “Wall of Red” in the East Stand at Lansdowne Road.
Marcus Horan gets a congratulatory pat on the back from former Perpignan lock Mick O’Driscoll, who came on as a replacement for Munster.
Trevor Halstead and Peter Stringer exchange handshakes after a job well done.
Munster captain Anthony Foley was taking no prisoners when asked afterwards if the forthcoming semi-final match-up between Munster and Leinster will be a battle between his side’s forwards and Leinster’s backs. He replied: “You’d insult a lot of people if you said that. A lot of lads have pride in themselves and see themselves as good professionals. When the sides go out they will be two 1 to 15s. They will be well matched.
“Both sides have big Celtic League games between now and then. It’s important we don’t lose the run of ourselves by looking three weeks ahead.”
Jerry Flannery is congratulated by a supporter after another exhaustive 80 minutes at Lansdowne Road.
It’s a thumbs up for the men in red from Sam O’Connell from Cork.
A Munster fan is suitably dressed for the occasion at Lansdowne Road.
Donncha O’Callaghan and Marcus Horan exchange ‘high fives’ after helping Munster through to their sixth Heineken Cup semi-final in seven seasons. Interestingly, it will only be the province’s second semi-final appearance on Irish soil – although Leinster are the designated ‘home’ team.
To date, Munster have played Toulouse (Stade Chaban Delmas, Bordeaux (1999/00)), Stade Francais (Stadium Nord, Lille (2000/01)), Castres Olympique (Stade de la Mediterranee, Beziers (2001/02)), Toulouse (Stadium Municipal, Toulouse (2002/03)) and London Wasps (Lansdowne Road (2003/04)) in semi-finals. They won through to the 1999/00 and 2001/02 finals.
**All photos by Tom Honan and Morgan Treacy of Inpho Photography**