Munster enjoyed an epic homecoming today at Thomond Park, with 9,000 raucous fans coming out to welcome them back to Limerick.
Their URC final win over the Stormers on Saturday gave them their first bit of silverware since 2011, when they beat Leinster to claim the Magners League title.
Playing in that game was Keith Earls, with the legendary winger expected to retire after the World Cup.
However, as Leinster fans famously chanted to Brian O'Driscoll in 2013, the Munster faithful could also be heard singing 'one more year'.
"Ya, it has been a long time, it has been 12 years. It is a privilege to share the pitch with them," said Earls
Look, it's a dream come true. I grew up 500 metres from here over the wall into Ballynanty and into Moyross.
I don't really care about the medals and the trophy, it's all about the province of Munster. We are delighted to it for them. It's been a long time.
Keith Earls Shows His Class At Munster Homecoming
It's selfie time with the one and only Munster legend Keith Earls at the homecoming for the newly crowned URC champions in Thomond Park. Video thanks to @SeanRyanT pic.twitter.com/hf00YxdbHU
— Limerick Leader / Limerick Live (@Limerick_Leader) May 29, 2023
The moment you’ve been waiting for 🤩
Incredible reception from our supporters! 🥹#SUAF 🔴 pic.twitter.com/GOIwwJxB5U— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) May 29, 2023
Limerick GAA may have Dreams by the Cranberries but @Munsterrugby walked out to Zombie.
They'll always rise from the dead, don't ever count them out ❤️@Limerick_Leader #URC #SUAF pic.twitter.com/ugSQMesrbw— Cathal Doherty (@catdoh98) May 29, 2023
READ HERE: Stormers Efforts To Sh*thouse Munster Captain Peter O'Mahony Backfired
The game winning play on Saturday came from Munster's Gavin Coombes, whose charge down won back possession for Munster and lead to John Hodnett's winning try.
The big number eight has since changed his Instagram profile picture to the moment of the charge down, while his Munster teammates have now begun calling him LeBlock.
They can be seen below singing 'Hey Baby', with new lyrics dedicated to LeBlock.
Munster Players Praise Gavin Coombes aka LeBlock
Hopefully the sound works on this version?!#leblock https://t.co/nvxYCITgOa pic.twitter.com/rWIH3RY9mC
— keelan (@explodingsoftly) May 29, 2023
Mick getting his first taste of the Munster magic with the @URCOfficial champions!!! 🚀🚀🚀 #leblock #MUNSTER @Munsterrugby pic.twitter.com/5Ku8d3bOTj
— Barry Murphy (@BarryMurphyHG) May 29, 2023
READ HERE: Incredible Munster Celebrate URC Win With Rousing Rendition Of SUAF
Alan Quinlan also had a brilliant tweet, asking people whether they had seen his mother at the homecoming, as she already been in Cape Town and was once again 'on the tear'.
If anyone spots my mum in Thomond park tonight. Tell her to go home she’s only back from Capetown this morning and on the tear again. She told me earlier that she was very tired and going to bed early and then I get sent pictures of her in the middle of it
Alan Quinlan Wants His Mum To Come Home
If anyone spots my mum in Thomond park tonight. Tell her to go home she’s only back from Capetown this morning and on the tear again. She told me earlier that she was very tired and going to bed early and then I get sent pictures of her in the middle of it 😂😂
— Alan Quinlan (@AlanQuinlan1) May 29, 2023
And, of course, Munster's head coach Graham Rowntree, also known as Wig, gave a rousing speech to the fans, and reminded them that this is just the beginning:
"It will only get better lads, I promise you that.
"This won't sink in for a long time, they won't realise it.
"There is no other team that has done this, six games away from home. And no one will ever do it again. But we will find a hard way to do it next time.
"And what that gives you as a player is the belief, you become bulletproof. And you go and play teams and they are scared of you. I mean, we should have put them away by half-time on Saturday.
"This group will fight and I am just so proud of them.
"We are ready for this and this group of players are ready for this. It will only get better lads, I promise you that. This will only get better."
SEE ALSO: South Africans Were Loving The Munster Supporters During Their Stay In Cape Town
