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'); ‘What in the name of Jaysus were we doing going into a warzone to play rugby?’ Noel Mannion is best remembered for his iconic try against Wales in 1989 – but his fondest memories come from crossing the border to play in Ulster. By Garry Doyle Saturday 6 Feb 2021, 10:09 AM Feb 6th 2021, 10:09 AM 47,920 Views 23 Comments THE OBVIOUS THING is to talk about that try, the most iconic chase of the Irish sporting decade, with all due res...

The recent meeting of Leinster and Munster – each at full-strength, for once – so close to Ireland’s championship opener, along with the variety of selection sub-plots in Limerick, evoked for many of a certain vintage the era when there truly was a final trial. Few recall these as halcyon days. They ruined Christmas. They heightened the pomposity of those selecting the team rather than those who coached it. The matches were predominantly dour affairs. And after all the fuss, the IRFU remained so historically blinkered that they rarely influenced selection. Their affected arrogance was s...