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Rugby

14th May 2023

Greg O’Shea’s prediction for Munster-Leinster comes wildly true on famous day for the province

Niall McIntyre

Ask that man for the lotto numbers, QUICK!

Jack Crowley’s late, great drop-goal sealed a momentous win for Munster over Leinster and also embellished a bold prediction from Greg O’Shea.

Munster hadn’t beaten Leinster in a knock-out game since 2014 but the former Munster, Ireland under-2o and Ireland Sevens player sensed something in the air this week.

And, despite Leinster having won 10 of the provinces’ last 11 meetings, he was undeterred and put his neck on the line on SportsJOE’s House of Rugby show on Monday.

Speaking as the host of the show, the Limerick native declared that Munster would not only win, but also win by a score. Check.

He mused that the decisive score would arrive in the 78th minute of the game – it came in the 77th – as the clock ticked towards 78. He wasn’t far off.

“I think there’s something left in Munster this season before it’s over,” said O’Shea, in the clip below.

“Something’s big is going to happen. They’ve been building.

“They went down to South Africa, beat the Stormers, drew with the Sharks. Knowing a lot of the boys down in the camp in Munster, they’re in great form, they’re flying it.

“I think Munster by one score, scored in the 78th minute, they hold on defensively, and get the final whistle in the Munster 22.”

Meanwhile, head coach Graham Rowntree was defiant in his post-match press conference.

A reporter at Lansdowne Road informed the coach, not long after the game, that Leo Cullen had remarked upon similarities in the Munster attack and defensive shape, and structures, to his own Leinster side.

Rowntree raised an eyebrow and the easy, relaced manner of his press conference was briefly forgotten.

“So we’re all copying Leinster, are we? We all just copy Leinster, do we?”
“We’re tough, hardened, battle-hardened. So it was never hopeless. This team never goes away.”

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