Won Twelve, lost four and drew one is an enviable record.  Clinching the re-structured inter-provincial series was the highlight having been bottom of the table at the half-way stage. 
Reaching the quarter final of the European Cup was a great moment.  It was a team goal to qualify from our group considering we had been so close the last number of seasons. 
However, the visit to Colomiers outside Toulouse for the quarter final was not a happy one. We were beaten by a better team and we just never played to our potential on the day. Giving away a try after two minutes wasn’t the best of starts and we trailed 23-9 at half time.  We played well in the second half, but trying to break down the French defence was like trying to get Noel ( Budda) Healy to admit his real age.  What could have been one of Munster’s greatest hours turned into another losing battle on the " green fields" of France. 
Training for this season ‘s campaign started in June while some of us were still in South Africa with the Irish squad.  At the end of July, we went on a tour to Wales where we worked hard on team building and the younger members of the squad gelled well with the more mature among us.  Just how long I’m playing with Munster was brought home to me with a bang on October 8th when I realised that my second row partner, Mick O’ Driscoll and I share the same birthday. However he was a mature 20 while  I was a youthful 32. 
Once we beat Neath and Padova in the Euro Cup, it looked likely that we would qualify for the play-off stages, but the performance against Perpignan in Musgrave Park sealed it for us on what turned out to be another famous day. 
How fitting it was for the heroes of 1978 to be honoured as these men have made the Munster jersey what it is and what every player in the province aspires to.  It was unfortunate that the occasion could not have been commemorated at the original venue - Thomond Park. - but the weather put paid to that.  Luckily for us, Musgrave Park and it’s supporters have made Munster a winning formula at home this year. 

European rugby is vital if the game here is to develop in the province and around the country.  Whatever format the competition takes next year, international experience is crucial if we are to make any impact at national as well as regional level. 

Looking back on the campaign, of course, there are things we would do differently, but Munster will be a better and stronger outfit next year now that we will meet as a squad  regularly throughout the year.  The pre-match training camps brought in by Declan Kidney, Niall O’ Donovan and Dave Mahedy were a great success and we had a top class base in the  University of Limerick. 
 
I was delighted to see younger players like Peter Stringer, Mick O’ Driscoll and John Hayes while the older guns are still going strong. It was very pleasing for the team to see my old partner in crime back on the Irish team ( Peter Clohessy ). 

Training sessions in Limerick and matches  in Cork really built up a great spirit among the lads.  We proved this season that Munster are once again a side to be reckoned with and long may it continue. 

       MICK GALWEY 
 
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