SOME of Munster's most famous victories and memorable performances have been given at Thomond Park.
This afternoon Ulster make the journey to Limerick to meet Munster in the Interprovincial Championship, a series sponsored by Guinness.
However difficult it can be for visiting teams to Thomond Park Ulster, in fact, have a very good record at the venue, not having lost there since 1980.
Munster, however, go into the match with a tremendous incentive - needing only a draw to regain the championship they won two years ago. Indeed it is possible that Munster could lose the match and still win the title.
With four points from the two matches played, Munster are two points ahead of Ulster and Leinster. Connacht are out of the equation having lost both matches. Should Ulster win today and Leinster defeat Connacht in Galway, it would mean three provinces on four points, in that event points difference will be the determining factor and in that Munster also lead the way. Munster have a points difference of plus 22, Leinster plus five and Ulster minus five. That leaves Munster with a 17 points advantage on Leinster and 27 points on Ulster.
That means Ulster must not alone beat Munster today but do so by 14 points. That would deprive Munster of the title but even that might not necessarily be enough and would not be were Leinster to defeat Connacht by five points or more.
Munster will start as favourites to take the title. It was at Thomond Park that Munster clinched the championship two years ago and so ended a 16 year wait for an outright win in the series.
Another 16 year gap must be bridged today, that is the length of time since Munster got that last win over Ulster in Limerick. That win was attained by 21-10 in 1980. Despite the results in the series this season and Munster's relatively favourable position going into the match today they will not be complacent this afternoon, nor should they, bearing in mind the sequence of results between the provinces over the last 15 years. In that time Munster managed just one win and a draw. The win came two years ago in Cork and then by just one point 17-16.
Form and the results this season suggest a win for Munster today and it will be a surprise if they fail to attain it. The Munster pack, containing as it does five international and vast experience, should be able to lay the foundations for victory against an Ulster eight whose tight five especially could prove vulnerable. Ulster will be hoping that Gary Longwell and Alan Robinson will give them an edge in the line out. But they are faced by Mick Galwey, playing especially well this season and Len Dinneen. Ben Cronin, at number eight for Munster, could also win some worthwhile possession at the line out.
Both teams have experienced back rows, but the Munster trio of Anthony Foley, Cronin and Eddie Halvey is especially strong and their ability will assert itself in an attacking capacity if the tight five get on top. It was significant that Munster's three times in the match against Leinster last week were all scored by forwards Galwey (2) and Halvey. The Ulster back row trio of Stuart Duncan, Steve McKinty and Denis McBride could face a busy afternoon.
The Ulster back line is one, however, that contains enough skill and experience to cause Munster some problems if possession comes their way. In Mark McCall they have the most accomplished centre in the country at the moment and two very good wings in James Topping and Jan Cunningham. But they could miss the presence and experience of Maurice Field in the centre.
The Munster backs should see enough the ball and half backs Stephen McIvor and Killian Keane are capable of using it shrewdly. Munster will do well not to concede penalty chances with so accomplished a place kicker as outside half Stuart Laing in the Ulster side. But Munster look to have the depth to win and take the title.
Leinster have to be cautious about their assignment at the Sports Ground. Their last win was attained there in 1990 and that was by just two points and was also their only win in Galway since 1986. Three defeats in their last four visits and one of those was by a record margin 28-9 in 1992.
While Connacht has not suffered the defections to the English clubs this season as the other provinces have, they are a much changed team with potential, as they have demonstrated in their two matches to date. Munster won readily enough in the end against Connacht in Cork a fortnight ago, but Ulster had a very close call at Ravenhill last week. This is Connacht's first home match and on their own ground, are likely to provide formidable opposition for Leinster.
Leinster have lost captain and flanker Chris Pim. His leadership could be missed by the pack and that Leinster pack is certain to get a stern examination from the Connacht eight which has performed well so far, even if they have not won. But Connacht must curb Leinster in the line out.
The match brings into direct opposition several Lansdowne clubmates and indeed brothers in the case of Kelvin and Shane Leahy. Kelvin plays on the flank for Leinster as deputy for Pim and Shane in the second row for Connacht.
An interesting and influential duel will be at outside half between Lansdowne club mates Eric Elwood (Connacht) and Richard Governey (Leinster). They are also the place kickers for their respective teams.
This could be a very close encounter and one Leinster will be pleased to come away from with a win. But Galway could again prove infertile territory for Leinster, who will, nonetheless, start as favourites and may win by a small margin.
In Limerick, The development teams of Munster and Ulster will provide the prelude to the main event, while Connacht A take on the Defence Forces in Corinthian Park. There are senior league ties in all four provinces. The match of the day in Leinster should be the meeting today of the holders Terenure College and Blackrock College at Stradbrook. Both start with 100 per cent records.
