Laurence O’hanlon Wilson – My Day As Mascot
25th January 2012 By Munster Rugby Supporters Club
Another first for the Munster Rugby Supporters Club … an away Heineken Cup Mascot! MRSC Junior Member, Laurence O’Hanlon Wilson had the opportunity to be match day mascot for the Northampton v Munster Heineken Cup Clash in Milton Keynes on Saturday 21st January. Laurence is the grandson of the legendary Bertie O’Hanlon. Bertie O’Hanlon was part of Ireland’s first ever Grand Slam winning team in 1948. He also played for his local club Dolphin RFC, and captained Munster in 1949. Laurence has taken the time to send a story about his day as mascot…. "When I had finished opening my birthday presents on 5 January, my Mum said that there was "one more". She told me that I was going to be the mascot leading out the Munster team with Paul O’Connell when they played against Northampton on Saturday 21st January. I couldn’t believe it! It was the best birthday present. Grandfather was staying with us at the time and he was really proud. I told everyone in school, my rugby club, family in Ireland and in America. We ordered my kit from the Munster shop in Cork, which was brought back to England by my uncle a week before the game. I wanted to wear it to rugby training (before the match) but Mum wouldn’t let me. On Saturday, I decided to wear the kit under my tracksuit so I wouldn’t forget any of it. We (Mum, Dad and younger brother, Patrick) set off from Teddington to Brent Cross to get the bus organised by Jay Briganti (London Branch of the MRSC) which would take us to Milton Keynes. When we got there, i was getting very nervous , but Trish from Cork who took me to meet the Northampton representative, was very kind. What happened next was great. A photographer called me onto the pitch to have my photograph taken with Jerry Flannery, Will Chambers, John Ryan, Billy Holland and Scott Deasy! I went back into the tunnel and saw the Munster team coming into the dressing room to put on their jerseys. I was very excited now. Then Paul O’Connell came out, took my hand and we set off down the tunnel. As we entered the pitch he put his arm around me and we ran out to the roaring crowd. I couldn’t believe I was there, it was brilliant! We stopped and more photographers took our photograph. Paul was so nice to me and when he ran off with the rest of the team I went back to the sideline, still not believing it had happened! I remember seeing so many red flags in the crowd and after the result I hope I am a lucky mascot for Munster. Thanks very much to the Munster Rugby Supporters Club for asking me to be the mascot. I will never forget the day." Laurence O’Hanlon Willson Valerie O’Leary 25/01/12
Another first for the Munster Rugby Supporters Club … an away Heineken Cup Mascot! MRSC Junior Member, Laurence O’Hanlon Wilson had the opportunity to be match day mascot for the Northampton v Munster Heineken Cup Clash in Milton Keynes on Saturday 21st January. Laurence is the grandson of the legendary Bertie O’Hanlon. Bertie O’Hanlon was part of Ireland’s first ever Grand Slam winning team in 1948. He also played for his local club Dolphin RFC, and captained Munster in 1949. Laurence has taken the time to send a story about his day as mascot…. "When I had finished opening my birthday presents on 5 January, my Mum said that there was "one more". She told me that I was going to be the mascot leading out the Munster team with Paul O’Connell when they played against Northampton on Saturday 21st January. I couldn’t believe it! It was the best birthday present. Grandfather was staying with us at the time and he was really proud. I told everyone in school, my rugby club, family in Ireland and in America. We ordered my kit from the Munster shop in Cork, which was brought back to England by my uncle a week before the game. I wanted to wear it to rugby training (before the match) but Mum wouldn’t let me. On Saturday, I decided to wear the kit under my tracksuit so I wouldn’t forget any of it. We (Mum, Dad and younger brother, Patrick) set off from Teddington to Brent Cross to get the bus organised by Jay Briganti (London Branch of the MRSC) which would take us to Milton Keynes. When we got there, i was getting very nervous , but Trish from Cork who took me to meet the Northampton representative, was very kind. What happened next was great. A photographer called me onto the pitch to have my photograph taken with Jerry Flannery, Will Chambers, John Ryan, Billy Holland and Scott Deasy! I went back into the tunnel and saw the Munster team coming into the dressing room to put on their jerseys. I was very excited now. Then Paul O’Connell came out, took my hand and we set off down the tunnel. As we entered the pitch he put his arm around me and we ran out to the roaring crowd. I couldn’t believe I was there, it was brilliant! We stopped and more photographers took our photograph. Paul was so nice to me and when he ran off with the rest of the team I went back to the sideline, still not believing it had happened! I remember seeing so many red flags in the crowd and after the result I hope I am a lucky mascot for Munster. Thanks very much to the Munster Rugby Supporters Club for asking me to be the mascot. I will never forget the day." Laurence O’Hanlon Willson Valerie O’Leary 25/01/12