All About Munster

1880

Munster Branch founded The province defeats Leinster at the fourth time of asking and as a result are granted a position on the Irish selection committee.

1905

Played hosts to Dave Gallagher’s “Invincible” New Zealand All-Blacks – the Match was played at the Markets Field, Limerick and ended with the tourists running out winners by a big margin.

1938

Munster played their first ever match at Thomond Park and celebrate the occasion with victory over Leinster.

1947

An injury time try gives Australia victory over Munster by the narrowest of margins at the Mardyke in Cork.

1951

More heart break as a hotly disputed try enables South Africa gain the verdict at Thomond Park.

1958

The spoils are shared with Australia on the first visit of the Wallabies to Limerick.

1962

A late scoring burst fails to save Canada as they go under to a determined home side at Musgrave Park.

1967

Success at last – Tom Kiernan leads Munster to an 11-8 victory over Australia at Musgrave Park – in doing so they became the first Irish province to defeat a major touring team.

1973

Argentina are held to a draw following a tempestuous match in Limerick – the following autumn a last minute penalty goal by full back Trevor Morris snatches a dramatic 3-3 draw for New Zealand at Musgrave Park.

1978

Munster 12 New Zealand 0 - enough said.

1980

The Australians are defeated for the second time following a vintage performance from Tony Ward at Musgrave Park.

1982

New ground is broken when the province under took a three match tour of Romania.

1992

The Wallabies return to the Cork venue twelve years later, on this occasion as World champions, but the result is the same, courtesy of a sensational injury time drop goal by Jim Galvin - Munster claim the spoils!

1995

Pat Murray plays a captains part as he leads his side to victory over Swansea in their initial match in the Heineken Cup at Thomond Park.

2000

The Heineken Cup final is reached but victory goes to Northampton Saints Albeit by the narrowest of margins in the Twickenham decider.

2002

Two years later Leicester Tigers hold out in a controversial finish to deprive Munster the laurels in the final at Cardiff.

2003

The Celtic League is won following victory over Neath, the Welsh All Blacks are well beaten at the finish of an entertaining final at Cardiff.

2005

The now defunct Celtic Cup was won at the expense of the Llanelli Scarlets at Lansdowne Road.

2006

An emotional occasion at the Millennium Stadium ends in victory as Munster are crowned Champions of Europe after victory over a gallant Biarritz side.

2008

Further success as Toulouse are beaten in the decider at the Millennium Stadium and the Heineken Cup returns to the province for the second time in three seasons.

2009

Munster are crowned the 2009 Magners League Champions in Thomond Park.