The myth of Munster invincibility in Thomand Park has been exploded. An Ulster team containing a judicious blend of Orangemen and Orange Free State men implemented a no surrender policy that had Munster battering their walls in vain throughout the second half. Munster need a backs coach and some new personnel. The lack of creativity was sorely evident especially when contrasted with Leinster's example on the previous day. And Munster need a new scrum half. Murray is way too ponderous - you yearned for a Stringer in his prime or even a pre-injury O'Leary. This guy is just not international class for all his tackling and robustness. We could do with Reddan back. Also, Felix Jones, Denis Hurley and Johne Murphy are just not up to it and Earls should be playing on the wing. And dare we ask are O'Gara's best days behind him? And mustn't it be said that McGahan's tenure has been a failure? These are dismal days.
You could be forgiven for getting tired of the Masters before it started with all the guff about the Tiger and McElroy show. Some people just don't get it. McElroy is a flakey putter on a course where excellence in that area is the sine qua non for success - ask Westwood. And Woods is a busted flush. He'll never recapture his former hegemony with that increasingly wayward long game. Bubba Watson is an interesting character - a free spirit, self taught, eschewing coaches, motivators, putting gurus and attendant free loaders - Padraig Harrington et al take note. Nice to see him putting the lips on his mum first after he won and not some standard issue blonde golf bimbo.
Leinster were sublime against Cardiff - the try by O'Driscoll via Fitzgerald was extra special. They have the forward heft and the creativity behind to win the tournament again. The problem is that they're away in the semi-final to an equally impressive Clermont Auvergne - choc a bloc with French internationals and grizzled mercenaries. Hard to call.
I refuse to refer to hurling again until Tipp beat Kilkenny in a significant match. Despite various Kilkenny retirements the signs are ominous again this year. Even Cork are looking threatening again. Meanwhile Lar Corbett tweets about his pub: cheap alcohol shots on student nights, poker tournaments, and dubious troubadours. Do something Declan.
By the way, whatever happened to that fat boy who used to write about sport in the Irish Times (hated rugby and golf, loved camogie)? Are journalists immune from journalistic scrutiny? It would seem so.
