An emotional van Graan opens up on thunderous contest

It was an emotional exit from the Champions Cup for Munster as they were edged out of the competition by Toulouse in a contest that went down to the wire and, unconventionally, was decided by penalty shoot-out and the end. 

The result was a bitter pill to swallow for the players, their passionate, red-clad supporters who filled the Aviva Stadium with spirit and song and, significantly, for club boss Johann van Graan, who is to part ways with the club at the conclusion of the season. 

Van Graan is to take charge of Bath in the English Premiership next season but has been an integral part of Munster since 2017. 

Visibly emotional, van Graan gave his take on the contest. 

“Firstly, incredibly proud,” he said. 

“Today [Saturday] was what Munster rugby is about. To lose it like that, that is unfortunately sport, that is the way the rules are. Somebody has got to kick it over and somebody has got to miss. If ever there is a day that sums up Munster rugby it’s today, a community, 40,000 people travelling. It was certainly one of the best rugby games I have been involved with. 

“I said to my wife there, from a feeling point of view this was like the World Cup semifinal in 2015 that we lost 20-18 against the All Blacks, that feeling that you gave it all you have got, the players gave it all they have got. 

“Management, staff and then the people of Munster, they gave it all they have got. And then you have got to know this is a game and everybody associated with Munster rugby will be incredibly proud of 23 guys that stood up and fought today. 

“We left the hotel saying to the brave and faithful nothing is impossible and the way that our captain Peter O’Mahony played literally when his body couldn’t anymore and then Jack Daly came on to make his European debut in that cauldron – that is the incredible thing about rugby. 

“It gives you opportunities to experience like what happened today and the tough thing is a great game of rugby, could have won it in the final play of the game, had or two opportunities but it is gone now and the sun will come up tomorrow morning. 

“That is by far the most incredible scene that I have seen in terms of people giving it their all for this club. The last two weeks were so special, right up there.” 

Asked whether he had managed to chat to Conor Murray and Ben Healy – the players who were unsuccessful with their shoot-out attempts – van Graan said: 

“Look, I have spoken to them. Obviously gutted but as I said a few weeks ago we all win together and you lose together. All you can ask is guys to give it their all and that is what they did through the whole season to put us in a position to come against the European champions in a cauldron like this. 

“Nobody on the pitch has ever been in a situation like that. We actually spoke during the week about the possibility of extra time, the tries and then the kicks. We were prepared for it. It comes down to literally a kick. What a way for the game to end from a Munster perspective. All credit to Toulouse.”