Munster ended their season as Magners League champions, but they will be disappointed not to have defended their Heineken Cup crown.
I suppose what Tony McGahan said at the start of the season about their road map of their ambition was a little bit too far for them. Their mission statement said they wanted to win both of them (Magners League & Heineken Cup).
It is the same amongst the great sides in the great competitions all over the world, from the Top 14 to the Super 14. The times when Toulouse have won the Heineken Cup, they haven't won the Top 14. The same in South Africa with the Sharks, when they have won the Super 14 they haven't won the Currie Cup on the back of that.
It is very difficult to win both and you can see that they (Munster) were disappointed that they didn't at least get to the final of the Heineken Cup. So with the league, they have done very well and won the title, but there will be no joy as it won't taste as sweet as it did for Leinster last year.
It is great to have silverware and Munster can point to that, but I think they are very disappointed with the outcome of this season.
On another note, it is sad to see Anthony Horgan play his last game for the province. He was a great player for them.
Not a speed merchant, but a guy who maximised his ability and they seem to produce them down at Munster. I think Ian Dowling is an absolute clone of him. They don't make mistakes, they are very clever, they are very effiecent, and they always take their half-chances.
He will be missed as he is a very nice fella, who mixes with everybody. Congradultions on his career - he has done very well.
Neil was speaking as part of Setanta Ireland's exclusive coverage of the Magners League clash between Munster and Ospreys.