Emmet Moloney writes for the 'Farmers Journal' and is a former sports columnist with 'The Kerryman'.

Why do Irish players appear to give more in the red of Munster than the green of Ireland? Emmet Moloney has his say.

Ronan O’Gara is a thoughtful man. Now and again he cuts through the media speak and tells it like it is. Last week he asked out loud the question many were seeking an answer for: how come Munster can play with passion and real fire in their bellies while Ireland appear to be going through the motions? Very often it is the same players we are talking about. What is going on?

Munster’s display against the All Blacks had the country enthralled. Over 1 million people watched it. And, as per usual, Munster delivered a performance. One that showed up Ireland’s tepid display just three days previously. The Men in Red took it to the opposition and left everything on the field. And this was a Munster B team!

O’Gara was at the match and he came away scratching his head. He shouldn’t have been that surprised. He has been part of many famous days in the Munster jersey and he more than most can understand what it is to put on that red jersey. It is obvious that an Irish jersey doesn’t carry the same weight or responsibility right now.

Here’s my view on the issue: Munster have a connection with their people that is beyond rugby. It is an identity. Much of this is based in and around Limerick. The love of the game was always there with strong clubs like Shannon, Garryowen, Young Munster, Crescent, UL Bohs, etc, so the opportunity was always there for a common brand. One flag. One vehicle for all that rugby energy.

Then the professional era came calling and the first to benefit were the clubs and the AIL. Meanwhile, the current Munster model was being crafted. The province

started playing regular European opposition but were simply treading water. Large defeats were suffered, especially away from home. Then Wasps came to Thomond Park back in the mid-’90s – the day I feel things started to happen. The English side was stocked with household names and internationals. English internationals.

The Men in Red destroyed them. It finished 49-6. We weren’t coming out of the pool that year but on that day the bandwagon was started. The penny dropped. Collectively, Munster began to take off. Within a year or two we were on the road to what Munster is today – a team that is the sum of its parts.

Last Tuesday night, Munster shouldn’t have lived with the All Blacks. On paper it was no contest but on grass Munster excel. And this is the real attraction of rugby. Munster rugby. It is full-blooded. It is physical. It is honest. Munster display these three attributes better than any team in Europe. This is why the fans flock. And the players themselves sense it. They buy into this. Those that don’t are shipped on. The Munster way is clear. You give everything, all the time, with honesty at the core. This is the connection between the team and its followers.

Peter Stringer epitomises Munster rugby. Now a second-choice scrum-half, he is about the size of a medium Smurf. But he has heart, so much heart. His tackling last Tuesday night was something to behold. That’s the honesty that underlines Munster’s unique connection with its supporters. Stringer was over-matched by giant New Zealanders all over the field, but he played a blinder and never once did they get through him. He knew he was talking a big hit to give the try-scoring pass but he didn’t flinch. He took that hit for Munster. What a player.

You can’t hide on a rugby field. The same is true of top-class hurling. If there is a doubt about a player’s stomach for battle, then soccer is probably the game for him. No Munster player hides on the field of play. This is what makes supporting them so satisfying. This is the pay-off for those who make their way to France, Wales and to towns all over England supporting their side. Your team are going to give their all. They will perform. And during a game they will need you. They will need to hear you. That’s your role and it, too, is crucial.

What is remarkable about Munster in its current form is the simple fact that, 10 or 12 years ago, you wouldn’t get 500 spectators at a Munster match. Apart from 1978’s miracle match, Munster were a team that played the interprovincial matches, played against an odd touring side and that was it.

Today they are a revolution in Irish sport. And make no mistake, they are the biggest threat to the GAA in Ireland. Imagine growing up dreaming of playing for Munster. And getting paid for it. What kid wouldn’t make that his dream?

Ronan O’Gara was challenging his team-mates last week when he wondered why Ireland look like a team of accountants when put beside Munster. I nearly fell asleep watching Ireland and Argentina kick the ball up and down Croke Park.

It was the result that was important, we are told. Ireland had to win, so everything justified the result. Really? Well that might be the Irish way, but it’s not the Munster way. And this is why the fire has gone out of the green jersey. Munster go out and guarantee a performance. Do this on a regular basis and the results will take care of themselves.

Declan Kidney has played a leading role in turning Munster into what they are today – the standard bearers of Irish rugby. He knows more than anyone of the special bond that exists between the red jersey and those who follow it. He knows how each feeds off the other. So, Declan knows the formula. Now he needs to get his ingredients in place.

Ronan O’Gara is one of those. In the Munster geansaí he is a world-class out-half. At the moment he is only mediocre when wearing the green of Ireland. I suspect he knows why. After playing for Munster in the cauldron of a full Thomond Park on Heineken Cup day, with all that energy surging through the place, an evening out in a sombre Croke Park is a bit of come down.

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