AN EMOTIONAL DONNACHA Ryan last night bid farewell to Thomond Park as he played his last home game in the red of Munster before leaving for Racing 92 this summer.
Speaking shortly after Munster’s Pro12 semi-final victory over Ospreys, the 33-year-old reflected on a 13-year career with the province.
“It means everything,” he told Sky Sports.
“I remember sitting in a classroom in Clanwilliam when I was 17 years of age, and a young, polite Alan Quinlan came in and said, ‘look, playing for Munster is everything’.
“Little did I know that in seven or eight years’ time he’d be effin’ and blindin’ at me on the pitch.
Donnacha Ryan on what Munster and Thomond Park means to him. Absolute legend, he'll be missed. #ThankYouDonnacha pic.twitter.com/i1bYhPWVkh
— RugbyLAD (@RugbyLAD7) May 20, 2017
“My whole adult life I’ve played in Munster. I know nothing else. I got to play with my heroes growing up. Now I get to look on from the sidelines at the young heroes of Munster.”
“Five metres out from the line for a lineout, walking up to it at Thomond Park, a wave of red coming in behind you. I will miss that and I hope to God I’m not playing against it.”
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