‘There is an ingredient missing inside Munster’



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When Munster trudged away on the Aviva last Friday night, they knew they would fall short again.

It was his ninth semi-final loss since defeating Leinster in the 2011 Celtic League final and he has also lost in the steeplechase final twice since then.

The days of being the best in Europe are behind us, as are the days of being the best in Europe at critical times.

Donal Lenihan, the former captain of Munster and Ireland, believes the province is struggling with its identity, something that had always characterized its successes in the past.

While acknowledging that the game has moved in so many areas in the professional era and indeed since the glory of the 2006 and 2008 Heineken Cup, Lenihan laments the absence of what was considered to be part of the team’s “DNA”, A front unit with strong Limerick Representation.

“Every Munster team that I played with over a 10-12 year period, half the group was made up of guys from Shannon, Young Munster, Garryowen,” Lenihan told the RTÉ Rugby podcast.

“Dave Kilcoyne has been Munster’s only regular starting forward for the last four years.

“Something is going on, it’s almost like cannibalism. There are too many clubs there now.

“You had youth clubs like Richmond, Thomond, St Mary’s years ago, they were feeder clubs for clubs like Garryowen, Shannon, Young Munster, but they are all senior clubs in their own right at this point.

“It’s almost a race to the bottom. It’s a huge concern to me because you need that traditional Munster element, that DNA that is part of every successful team.”

“I’m just worried that it got diluted.

“Look, the professional game goes on [but] a unity of purpose, guys who have a strong identity with whom they play, are things that professional coaches and organizations around the world would give their right hand to have naturally.

“There is an ingredient missing in Munster right now and it is not going to change overnight, no matter who you buy from.”

Meanwhile, Munster fans have had to watch rivals Leinster conquered Europe, four times since 2009, and build the foundations of a modern powerhouse of the game.

Ahern in action for Ireland U20

Lenihan pointed to the Munster Academy lock, Thomas Ahern, as someone who could make a big impression on the senior team if given the chance.

The 6’9 “Waterford man was part of the Ireland Under-20 squad this season and Lenihan says he has the potential to emulate Leinster star Ryan Baird, the 21-year-old second-row player who has scored three attempts. in nine appearances since he made his debut last year.

“For me, Tom Ahern, this guy has it,” he said.

“He is an outstanding athlete, he has passed all the tests that we have seen.

“I saw Ryan Baird playing for Trinity against Cork Con in the All-Ireland League at College Park the season before last.

“He was an outstanding figure, look how far he has come in 12 months.

“Tom Ahern could make the same rapid progress. But he won’t if they leave him at home or out of the stadium. You have to give him a chance.”

Follow the Guinness Pro14 final between Leinster and Ulster Munster (7.35pm on Saturday) with our live blog on RTÉ Sport Online and the RTÉ News app or listen to the commentary live on RTÉ Radio 1.



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