Brussels Branch News
17th January 2012 By Munster Rugby Supporters Club
MUNSTER v CASTRES An enthusiastic group of fans gathered in Kitty O’Sheas pub last Saturday to watch the penultimate match in the qualifying round. Munster were facing an envious Castres team that we robbed with a last kick-of-the-match dropgoal by "you know who" in a close encounter in Toulouse last November. Munster needed a win to secure a quarter-final place and we dared to speak of the bonus point to get us closer to a home game in that quarter-final. No bonus point in the end but job done. Our group in Kitty’s were largely drawn from the Irish diaspora living and working in Brussels, many of them here for work connected with the European Union (No blue flag with a circle of white stars on this occasion as red was the only colour that mattered). Among those present were two fans – real Belgians – who had driven from Antwerp to watch the match with us. Marc Van de Peer is a regular participant in Kitty’s for Munster matches. He is a member of the Brussels Branch and also a full member of the Supporters Club. He has been to see Munster play in the flesh in Musgrave Park and intends to make the pilgrimage to Thomond Park at the earliest opportunity. In the meantime he has already bought his ticket for the final in Twickenham in anticipation of Munster battling for glory. With Marc was his friend Guy Van Beeman who has now become a committed supporter. NORTHAMPTON v MUNSTER The Brussels Branch fans will gather again on Saturday in Kitty’s to enjoy the excitement of the last qualifying match. As travel to England from Brussels is fairly convenient by ferry or the faster Eurotunnel under the English Channel several of our members are making the journey. We all look forward, whether in Milton Keynes or in Kitty’s, to another win and another milestone in the great history of Munster rugby. FUTURE EVENT We are planning an annual dinner for Brussels Branch members and are hopeful that Alan Quinlan can join us as Guest of Honour – the likely date to coincide with the France/Ireland international in Paris in February. PHOTOS The photos show a Brussels Branch group watching the game in Kitty O’Sheas pub and Antwerp based fans Marc Van De peer and Guy Van Beemen. Valerie O’Leary 18/01/12
MUNSTER v CASTRES An enthusiastic group of fans gathered in Kitty O’Sheas pub last Saturday to watch the penultimate match in the qualifying round. Munster were facing an envious Castres team that we robbed with a last kick-of-the-match dropgoal by "you know who" in a close encounter in Toulouse last November. Munster needed a win to secure a quarter-final place and we dared to speak of the bonus point to get us closer to a home game in that quarter-final. No bonus point in the end but job done. Our group in Kitty’s were largely drawn from the Irish diaspora living and working in Brussels, many of them here for work connected with the European Union (No blue flag with a circle of white stars on this occasion as red was the only colour that mattered). Among those present were two fans – real Belgians – who had driven from Antwerp to watch the match with us. Marc Van de Peer is a regular participant in Kitty’s for Munster matches. He is a member of the Brussels Branch and also a full member of the Supporters Club. He has been to see Munster play in the flesh in Musgrave Park and intends to make the pilgrimage to Thomond Park at the earliest opportunity. In the meantime he has already bought his ticket for the final in Twickenham in anticipation of Munster battling for glory. With Marc was his friend Guy Van Beeman who has now become a committed supporter. NORTHAMPTON v MUNSTER The Brussels Branch fans will gather again on Saturday in Kitty’s to enjoy the excitement of the last qualifying match. As travel to England from Brussels is fairly convenient by ferry or the faster Eurotunnel under the English Channel several of our members are making the journey. We all look forward, whether in Milton Keynes or in Kitty’s, to another win and another milestone in the great history of Munster rugby. FUTURE EVENT We are planning an annual dinner for Brussels Branch members and are hopeful that Alan Quinlan can join us as Guest of Honour – the likely date to coincide with the France/Ireland international in Paris in February. PHOTOS The photos show a Brussels Branch group watching the game in Kitty O’Sheas pub and Antwerp based fans Marc Van De peer and Guy Van Beemen. Valerie O’Leary 18/01/12