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Published 20:14 27 Jun 2023 BST
Updated 20:23 27 Jun 2023 BST
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Tadhg Beirne, left, and Gavin Coombes celebrate with supporters during the Munster Rugby homecoming as URC Champions at Thomond Park in Limerick. (Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile)[/caption]
"I then got my first opportunity at Scarlets as, two weeks on the bounce, two players [Jake Ball and Aaron Shingler] were having their first children. So I was put into the team, obviously played well and kept my position. If they hadn't had those kids, then, I probably wouldn't be sitting here today, you know!"As we now know, Beirne was a revelation for Scarlets that season. He played 23 times and won a stack of man-of-the-match awards, and turnover ball, as the Welsh side beat Leinster at The RDS and Munster at Aviva Stadium to capture the Guinness PRO12. He finally got that desired move to Munster in 2018. His first season at his new home, and second province, was excellent but injuries and Ireland call-ups meant he only made 24 Munster appearances over the next three seasons. His team were also running smack-bang into Leinster whenever they got the merest scent of silverware. [caption id="attachment_289567" align="aligncenter" width="1280"]
Munster players, from left, Jean Kleyn, RG Snyman and Tadhg Beirne celebrate at the final whistle of the United Rugby Championship Final. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Sportsfile)[/caption]
"Tadhg Beirne comes back fro injury and he's across all the key areas for Munster," former Leinster star Lindsay Peat reflected. "He was just his usual self. He goes about his business, is almost under the radar but then steps up with key plays - lineouts, turnovers, tries - whenever his team most need it. "You know when we talk about those romantic stages in life, and the love that got away? Leinster are kicking themselves they let that guy get away."Leinster would tell you they are doing just fine with home-grown talents like James Ryan, Ross Molony and Ryan Baird. They would have been kicking themselves, no lying, when Beirne bulled over for a crucial second half try that gave Munster real belief that their opponents had made a serious error by resting big players, a week out from the Champions Cup final. In his three games back, after three months out, Beirne played 80, 70 and 80, made 22 carries, stuck 37 tackles and made three turnovers. He is as dogged as they come and seems to thrive on smacking teams upside the head if they forget to worry about him. Seven years after being told he was surplus to Leinster's requirements and six years after he took the first steps towards proving them wrong, Tadhg Beirne was a league champion again. Beirne, like Keith Earls, Malakai Fekitoa and RG Snyman, would not have finished out the season on the pitch if their team did not desperately need them. The same goes for the patched-together Peter O'Mahony. Because of his demeanour, he may go into rugby retirement with little fanfare and only a few glowing tomes. Those that have followed him closely these past seven years, though, are fully aware of just how special his story is.
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Some huge clashes! The ultimate TV guide for live weekend sport in Ireland is back! It’s another huge week in the Premier League with Arsenal hosting Newcastle, there are a host of massive inter-county championship matches in both hurling and Gaelic football, and there is an intriguing Irish derby in the URC to look forward […]
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Huge changes in store as Lions launch bid to tour new countries
This could be massive! The Lions could soon be adding a new country to their list of touring destinations, according to an exclusive report from The Telegraph. The iconic representative team – which combines the best players from Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales – currently tour South Africa, Australia and New Zealand on a rotating […]
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Munster statement defends new coach over historical rape accusations
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