Yesterday was a huge occasion for Munster rugby.
One of the proudest teams in the game that also has an incredibly loyal fan base, they had gone far too long without winning a trophy. Thankfully, they managed to bring to an end their spell of over a decade without any silverware in Cape Town.
The URC final against Stormers was a tense affair, one that neither team could fully take control of in tricky conditions. Munster likely felt that they should have been in a much better position heading into the closing stages of the game, although there is probably no better way to win a big game than in the manner they did.
75 nóim #STOvMUN@THESTORMERS - 14@Munsterrugby - 19
Úd sna nóiméad deiridh faighte ag Mumha, aimsithe ag John Hodnett
Munster get a try in the last minutes of the game to gain the lead again as John Hodnett touches down@IrishRugby @URCOfficial#BKTURC #Rugby pic.twitter.com/fSNpNKT9j2— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) May 27, 2023
The final whistle resulted in an outpouring of emotion from the players, especially some of the most battle-hardened ones.
That included Peter O'Mahony and Keith Earls, both of whom have experienced plenty of ups and downs in the red of Munster over the last decade or so.
Peter O'Mahony gatecrashes Rowntree interview after Munster win
Graham Rowntree has done a remarkable job during his first season as Munster head coach, injecting belief into a group of players that had seemed to lack it at times in recent years.
He was in an emotional mood directly after the game and was still in a state of shock when speaking to Viaplay. When summing up what the victory meant to the club, his interview was gatecrashed by captain Peter O'Mahony who was soon at the centre of a joke from former teammate CJ Stander about the upcoming celebrations.
"It's hard to believe!" 🗣️ @Munsterrugby's Graham Rowntree gives lengthy pitchside interview after his side's URC title win 🔴
Peter O'Mahony also joins his head coach for a conversation 👋#URC | #STOvMUN pic.twitter.com/XpQb2KUavH— Viaplay Sports UK (@ViaplaySportsUK) May 27, 2023
Stander: I wanted to asked firstly, it's going to be a big night, so who's going to look after each other out of the two of you?
Rowntree: I'll need looking after.
O'Mahony: We will have our hands full there...
De Villiers: What's the plan from here, the celebration is as important as the game. Will there be any sleep tonight?
O'Mahony: I'd say there will be very little to be honest with you.
Rowntree: I won't be sleeping!
You'd imagine that the celebrations were a very lively affair.
After the run they put together in recent weeks, the Munster players certainly deserve it.
SEE ALSO: Stormers Efforts To Sh*thouse Peter O'Mahony Backfired
