LEINSTER VS MUNSTER has become one of Irish rugby’s most anticipated occasions each year, and it is a testament to the rivalry that Lansdowne Road will be close to full when the provinces play this Saturday evening. Among the throng of supporters in the crowd will be certain breeds of fan, who you will instantly recognise due to a couple of key traits.
Do you fall into any of these categories?
The Old-Timer
This fan has been going to Leinster vs Munster games for 40 years and was a die-hard provincial fan at a time when club rugby ruled the landscape. Whenever either of the provinces signs a new player or unearths a new talent, the old-timer immediately wants a point of reference from the 70′s so he’ll know what to expect.
Most likely to say if they’re from Munster: ”Lifeimi Mafi was always reckless in the tackle. If you want someone who knew all about controlled aggression look no further than Seamus Dennison against the All Blacks in 1978!”
Most likely to say if they’re from Leinster: ”Rob Kearney? I suppose he is ok under the high ball but you could have rained up-and-unders down upon Rodney O’Donnell for days and at the end he would have just said ‘Please sir, can I have another?”
The Sextonite/The Rogophile
Much like in that dreadful Highlander film, there can only be one when you are debating Sexton vs O’Gara. You aren’t allowed sit on the fence when talking about these two outhalfs, not that any Leinster or Munster fan ever does.
Not since the Anglo-Irish treaty was signed (or maybe Keane vs McCarthy) has there been such a divisive topic in Irish society.
O'Gara and Sexton are being far more civil here than people on either side of their debate ever are. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
Most likely to say if they’re from Munster: ”The Grand Slam! The drop goal! Sexton can’t kick! O’Gara!”
Most likely to say if they’re from Leinster: “O’Gara can’t tackle! Sexton is a better playmaker! Three Heineken Cups! Sexton!”
The Young Gun
This fan is likely of secondary school age and unfortunately for them, they started supporting Leinster/Munster just as the halcyon days of European dominance began to taper off. If they say the Munster pack looks good this year, you just tussle their hair before listing off great props like Claw and the Bull before challenging them to a scrum.
Advertisement
If they say the Leinster backline look dangerous this year, you ruefully shake your head before goose-stepping down the street remembering Denis Hickie’s electric run against Toulouse.
Most likely to say if they’re from Munster: ”Peter O’Mahony would definitely have started for Munster’s Heineken Cup winning teams………right?”
Most likely to say if they’re from Leinster: ”I’ve seen plenty of grainy old footage of Dr. Phil, and there is no chance in hell that he is better than Mad-dog. And stop tussling my hair and calling me ‘little buddy’!”
The Club Rugby Romantic
This fan is a little like the League of Ireland supporter at an Ireland football match who thinks general fans don’t support their grassroots clubs enough. The club rugby romantic will roll their eyes as you cheer a rolling maul at Leinster vs Munster before lamenting the fact that such organised chaos happens regularly on the back pitch in Shannon/Terenure.
The club rugby romantic will constantly snort "They tackle/ruck/maul/scrummage better than that in mini-rugby at my club.' Presseye / Darren Kidd/INPHO
Presseye / Darren Kidd/INPHO / Darren Kidd/INPHO
Most likely to say if they’re from Munster: “You call that rucking?!? I saw more raking at Sunday’s Well vs Bruff last weekend than I had in a month of autumn Sundays!”
Most likely to say if they’re from Leinster: “It is so cute that you think Darragh Fanning is good NOW. I’ve been watching him run riot for years up at Templeville road.”
The Cynic
This fan got into the provinces just as the boom started and as a result they have become increasingly bitter and twisted as the standard of both teams have slightly decreased.
The Munster version is already sharpening the knife for Anthony Foley and talks lovingly about Tony McGahan and Rod Penney despite never expressing much admiration for them when they were around.
The Leinster cynic absolutely despises Matt O’Connor and treats him like a teenager who was given the keys to his father’s Rolls Royce only to immediately careen it into a stop sign (they rarely mention the amount of injuries and retirements that O’Connor has had to deal with). They talk about Joe Schmidt as if he never made any mistake during his time in charge and as if O’Connor has done absolutely nothing right.
Most likely to say if they’re from Munster: “Which leak is more damaging, that stupid email or the one from our defence?”
Most likely to say if they’re from Leinster: “Sean O’Brien and Cian Healy never would have picked up season-ending injuries if Joe Schmidt was still in charge. O’Connor!”
The Schools Rugby Aficionado
This fan likely went to a private fee-paying rugby school (but not necessarily) and has developed a life-long passion for the ‘pure’ form of the game (riddled with creatine) that is played at the schoolboy level. They always lavish praise on former schools legends but generally temper it by throwing in a random name or two of someone who was allegedly better.
Best front row in the world? He wasn't even the best front row on his senior cup team. Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
Most likely to say if they’re from Munster: “There is no doubt that Simon Zebo is a dynamite runner but in school that was only because he was getting such great service from O’Driscoll at scrum-half.”
Most likely to say if they’re from Leinster: ”Sure, Cian Healy is a great loosehead NOW, but don’t forget that he had to play hooker in 5th year because Cuddy and Byrne were so destructive.”
The Sheepskin
Rugby fans might not like to admit it, but there is always a small section of fans who have certain mannerisms and behave a certain way, and that is best described by this photo of a man in a sheepskin coat.
We all know someone like this.
The Pro12 Lifer
While Leinster vs Munster clashes are always well attended and viewed regardless of the competition or time of year, the same cannot be said for the Pro12 over the last few years. Now that merit based qualification has been introduced, the league will grab the attention of much more fans, because in its previous format it wasn’t always appointment viewing for even committed supporters of the provinces.
When the league starts heating up late on and you begin tuning into more and more Pro12 games, this fan will be right there to beat their chest and remind you of how they have supported the league more vociferously than a Pro12 PR person.
Most likely to say if they’re from Munster: “We didn’t need to expand Thomond. Everyone who wanted to watch Munster week-in and week-out was already on the terrace belting out Stand Up and Fight.”
Most likely to say if they’re from Leinster: “Oh would you shut up you johnny-come-lately, I’ve been watching the Celtic League since Eric Miller got sent off in the final back in 2001. Ye, I call it the Celtic League, what of it?”
Is there any other ‘set’ of fans that you might run into at the Aviva this weekend?
The schools rugby aficionado and the young gun: 8 fans you'll run into at Leinster vs Munster
LEINSTER VS MUNSTER has become one of Irish rugby’s most anticipated occasions each year, and it is a testament to the rivalry that Lansdowne Road will be close to full when the provinces play this Saturday evening. Among the throng of supporters in the crowd will be certain breeds of fan, who you will instantly recognise due to a couple of key traits.
Do you fall into any of these categories?
The Old-Timer
This fan has been going to Leinster vs Munster games for 40 years and was a die-hard provincial fan at a time when club rugby ruled the landscape. Whenever either of the provinces signs a new player or unearths a new talent, the old-timer immediately wants a point of reference from the 70′s so he’ll know what to expect.
Most likely to say if they’re from Munster: ”Lifeimi Mafi was always reckless in the tackle. If you want someone who knew all about controlled aggression look no further than Seamus Dennison against the All Blacks in 1978!”
Most likely to say if they’re from Leinster: ”Rob Kearney? I suppose he is ok under the high ball but you could have rained up-and-unders down upon Rodney O’Donnell for days and at the end he would have just said ‘Please sir, can I have another?”
The Sextonite/The Rogophile
Much like in that dreadful Highlander film, there can only be one when you are debating Sexton vs O’Gara. You aren’t allowed sit on the fence when talking about these two outhalfs, not that any Leinster or Munster fan ever does.
Not since the Anglo-Irish treaty was signed (or maybe Keane vs McCarthy) has there been such a divisive topic in Irish society.
Most likely to say if they’re from Munster: ”The Grand Slam! The drop goal! Sexton can’t kick! O’Gara!”
Most likely to say if they’re from Leinster: “O’Gara can’t tackle! Sexton is a better playmaker! Three Heineken Cups! Sexton!”
The Young Gun
This fan is likely of secondary school age and unfortunately for them, they started supporting Leinster/Munster just as the halcyon days of European dominance began to taper off. If they say the Munster pack looks good this year, you just tussle their hair before listing off great props like Claw and the Bull before challenging them to a scrum.
If they say the Leinster backline look dangerous this year, you ruefully shake your head before goose-stepping down the street remembering Denis Hickie’s electric run against Toulouse.
Most likely to say if they’re from Munster: ”Peter O’Mahony would definitely have started for Munster’s Heineken Cup winning teams………right?”
Most likely to say if they’re from Leinster: ”I’ve seen plenty of grainy old footage of Dr. Phil, and there is no chance in hell that he is better than Mad-dog. And stop tussling my hair and calling me ‘little buddy’!”
The Club Rugby Romantic
This fan is a little like the League of Ireland supporter at an Ireland football match who thinks general fans don’t support their grassroots clubs enough. The club rugby romantic will roll their eyes as you cheer a rolling maul at Leinster vs Munster before lamenting the fact that such organised chaos happens regularly on the back pitch in Shannon/Terenure.
Most likely to say if they’re from Munster: “You call that rucking?!? I saw more raking at Sunday’s Well vs Bruff last weekend than I had in a month of autumn Sundays!”
Most likely to say if they’re from Leinster: “It is so cute that you think Darragh Fanning is good NOW. I’ve been watching him run riot for years up at Templeville road.”
The Cynic
This fan got into the provinces just as the boom started and as a result they have become increasingly bitter and twisted as the standard of both teams have slightly decreased.
The Munster version is already sharpening the knife for Anthony Foley and talks lovingly about Tony McGahan and Rod Penney despite never expressing much admiration for them when they were around.
The Leinster cynic absolutely despises Matt O’Connor and treats him like a teenager who was given the keys to his father’s Rolls Royce only to immediately careen it into a stop sign (they rarely mention the amount of injuries and retirements that O’Connor has had to deal with). They talk about Joe Schmidt as if he never made any mistake during his time in charge and as if O’Connor has done absolutely nothing right.
Most likely to say if they’re from Munster: “Which leak is more damaging, that stupid email or the one from our defence?”
Most likely to say if they’re from Leinster: “Sean O’Brien and Cian Healy never would have picked up season-ending injuries if Joe Schmidt was still in charge. O’Connor!”
The Schools Rugby Aficionado
This fan likely went to a private fee-paying rugby school (but not necessarily) and has developed a life-long passion for the ‘pure’ form of the game (riddled with creatine) that is played at the schoolboy level. They always lavish praise on former schools legends but generally temper it by throwing in a random name or two of someone who was allegedly better.
Most likely to say if they’re from Munster: “There is no doubt that Simon Zebo is a dynamite runner but in school that was only because he was getting such great service from O’Driscoll at scrum-half.”
Most likely to say if they’re from Leinster: ”Sure, Cian Healy is a great loosehead NOW, but don’t forget that he had to play hooker in 5th year because Cuddy and Byrne were so destructive.”
The Sheepskin
Rugby fans might not like to admit it, but there is always a small section of fans who have certain mannerisms and behave a certain way, and that is best described by this photo of a man in a sheepskin coat.
The Pro12 Lifer
While Leinster vs Munster clashes are always well attended and viewed regardless of the competition or time of year, the same cannot be said for the Pro12 over the last few years. Now that merit based qualification has been introduced, the league will grab the attention of much more fans, because in its previous format it wasn’t always appointment viewing for even committed supporters of the provinces.
When the league starts heating up late on and you begin tuning into more and more Pro12 games, this fan will be right there to beat their chest and remind you of how they have supported the league more vociferously than a Pro12 PR person.
Most likely to say if they’re from Munster: “We didn’t need to expand Thomond. Everyone who wanted to watch Munster week-in and week-out was already on the terrace belting out Stand Up and Fight.”
Most likely to say if they’re from Leinster: “Oh would you shut up you johnny-come-lately, I’ve been watching the Celtic League since Eric Miller got sent off in the final back in 2001. Ye, I call it the Celtic League, what of it?”
Is there any other ‘set’ of fans that you might run into at the Aviva this weekend?
Bath have set the hype machine to overdrive in advance of Sam Burgess’ arrival from the NRL
‘It’s very hard to make the transition from player to supporter’ – Shane Byrne
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
All-Ireland Senior HC Guinness PRO12 Leinster Munster Rival factions