I go over and quickly chat to Big Mal and offer my commiserations. The show is over for himself, Girve and Birch. These are 3 men who have given so much to the people of Leinster and have come from the darkness of a few hundred in Donnybrook to the brights lights of European success last year including 82,000 in Croker to witness the annexation of Munster. Birch is suited up and carrying his two young kids, one hell of a warrior and a special moment for the big man to share with his family. Girve walks past me still donning his aluminous substitutes bib, he has conducted himself with utmost integrity during a glittering career and the massive crowd that still linger give these lads the send off they deserve.

I decide to grab a few familiar faces from the Ospreys, they are certainly amenable to a bit of banter and chat about the festivities planned for the night ahead. Adam Jones offers me a sup from his Magnum of Bulmers which is very well received in this quarter, it’s been thirsty work. The crowd shuffles off as the light fades and the curtain comes down on the most ‘electrifying’ Magners league season in history, sorry lads I had to throw that one in!

As for Profan, the dream is over. It’s been a rollercoaster year and from it I’ll take some very special memories. I’ve got to meet some world class people along the way and spend time with one of my favourite people on this earth, my cousin and cameraman Brendan Galvin, I’ll be forever grateful for everything you’ve done for me. To the Supporters clubs, fans, players, managers and backroom teams, I want to say a massive thanks to you all. It’s been beautiful.

Conor Galvin
Magners League Profan

The great thing about the Thomond experience however is that win, lose or draw you can always be guaranteed to meet world class characters and as the following clips show they are in plentiful supply. The highlight of the day was undoubtedly meeting Ian Dowling disguised as Paddington Bear!!!!

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3 – Ian Dowling Uncovered

The Connacht men know only too well that it is these inches that will determine their fate in this years Championship. Muldoon and Co returned to the dressing room with the dirt of the Munster try line under their fingernails but not the points. They laid siege to the whitewash for the final 10 minutes without let up. It was like the boxer knowing that only a KO would suffice in the last round of the title fight …….. he hammers his opponent on the ropes but just can’t score the vital knockout! Munster’s new guard have lost nothing of their forefathers willingness to put their bodies on the line for the famous crest.

Munster take a giant leap towards a guaranteed semi final slot. Connacht still languish on the bottom but for how long? With western momentum building one wonders for just how long Ulster can swim ahead of the shark in the race for European rugby next year ………………..

…… and Literally all hell breaks loose!!!!!

The Celtic Tenors exit the scene like matadors after slaying the bull. The atmosphere has reached its Zenith and following this crescendo comes a wall of noise that’s all consuming. This is Thomond Park. Leo Cullen leads out the visiting Gladiators into this electrified rugby Colliseum. There is to be no hostility however.  Munster fans are a class above this. It’s the most amazing thing that such a vast army of fans with such passion coursing through their veins can still hold such reverence for the opposition.

The Cauldron is set alight once again as the countdown begins. The arrival of the men in Red for what is the biggest game of the season is now seconds away. The first sight of Ronan O’Gara leading out his charges and one can only be grateful that modern stadia are built with reinforced roofing. This is no ordinary stadium and these are no ordinary Supporters ………. This is Munster Rugby!

Representatives of the Leinster Supporters Club were out in force to ensure they delivered a day to remember and the fans certainly didn’t go home disappointed.

I spoke to Gordon D’arcy who stressed the importance of the community aspect that drives this Leinster Province. Proof of this was plentiful as many fans regaled me with stories of how D’arcy and team Leinster have supported so many hard luck causes and supported those less fortunate.

The feeling of goodwill about the day was reinforced by the fan interaction and banter on the terraces. Vital Magners League points were up for grabs but hell or high water everyone was going to enjoy the day out.

Connacht fans were approaching Rugby Nirvana as they stared down the barrel of a second Leinster scalp of the year. This Connacht team now have massive strenght in depth as they stormed the Leinster Fort all day long despite starting the match with the likes of Cronin, Keatley, Troy and Swift on the bench and talismanic captain John Muldoon out injured. Leinster for their part could boast their own absentee list but like Ali in Zaire in 1974 they hung on the ropes all day before Sexton delivered the knockout blow in the cruelest of circumstances!!!!

With the big game this weekend growing closer I decided I’d treat the fans to just some of the craic we had with the two lads during their Magners League Minute. Enjoy!

The following feature shows the funnier side of the Province and the characters that make up this great organisation. I’d like to pay special thanks to Fiona Keyes for the fantastic welcome we received and especially to the 4 occupants of Ocean Drive: Sean Cronin, Ian Keatley, Fionn Carr and his imaginary friend! Thanks a mill for everything Guys.

PS. Competition lines are now open to nominate a new try scoring song for Fionn Carr. Email us at magnersleagueprofan2010@gmail.com