Dream XV | Marcus Horan

Former Munster and Ireland prop Marcus Horan gave his Dream Munster XV from those he played with over the course of his career.

Marcus Horan’s Dream Munster XV

15. Simon Zebo – X factor. Did amazing things at ease and looked like he loved what he was doing even when all around were losing their heads! A real character of our game.

14. Doug Howlett – A brilliant athlete who bought into Munster when he was here. I stupidly challenged him to sprint at his first Christmas party, I wouldn’t have beaten him in my car.

13. Rua Tipoki – Rua had Mana. He made the people around him better by his actions. First name on the list if you were going into battle.

12. Lifeimi Mafi – Mafs gave everything to the team. Offloading, stepping, and speed, combined with being a tough defender.

11. Keith Earls – Achieved it all. Grand slams, Lions tours, breaking records and still so grounded and a brilliant role model for young rugby players in Limerick and beyond. Epitomises resilience.

10. Ronan O’Gara – I played with ROG up through the Munster and Ireland ranks and even though he broke my brother’s heart in a schools Junior cup in ’92 with a drop goal that I’d learn to love, he was our main man in pressure situations.

9. Conor Murray – at one point arguably the best 9 in the world. Played like a 9^th forward but had the speed and skill to create opportunities for others. Tough decision to leave out Peter Stringer.

1.Peter Clohessy – The Enforcer. Started as a tighthead and moved to loosehead when John Hayes came on the scene, which wasn’t an easy thing to do. Played in the amateur era and brought what was good from it into the pro era.

2. Keith Wood – Best Hooker to come out of County Clare! Back trapped in a forward’s body. Pleasure to play alongside. Challenged the norm on and off the pitch. Jerry Flannery is right up there too and someone I wish had played for longer.

3. John Hayes – Uncompromising player who worked hard at his craft. Came to the game late and to the front-row even later but was the most reliable guy in your team.

4. Donncha O’Callaghan – My best mate in Rugby! But doesn’t get the vote because of that. Unbelievable pro who did whatever it took to be right for his team and teammates and was brilliant craic while doing it. Mick Galwey has to get a mention here as a leader and great player.

5. Paul O’Connell – Standard setter, our Roy Keane! Put pressure on himself to be the best but demanded the same from all around him. Studied the game and evolved his own game with new coaches and within new teams. John Langford was another standard bearer who changed the way we trained.

6. Peter O’Mahony – Wore his heart on his sleeve when it came to Munster Rugby. Lead the group through some of the toughest times. Achieved so much with Ireland and proud to see him raise a trophy with Munster.

7. David Wallace – A power athlete who spoke with his actions. Hardworking and reliable, he always came up with big moments in games, in attack and defence.

8. Anthony Foley (Capt) – A leader of men and someone who positively influenced many careers as a player and coach. As a player he never took a backward step. His strength was bringing others with him no matter what the challenge was. Left the jersey in a better place.