Keatley: Let’s do it for the supporters

MUNSTER out-half Ian Keatley says the squad are desperate to reach a first Champions Cup final since they last won the competition in 2008 as a tribute to the supporters who’ve driven them to so many victories in the last decade.

Keatley admitted he was delighted, but not surprised, to see so many Munster fans making the two games in South Africa in recent weeks and he said the players would love nothing more than to claim a knockout European win over Racing 92 in their honour.

“You should have seen the amount of Munster fans, I don’t know if it came across on TV or not, but it is a credit to them to travel over. By the looks of things, they had a good time too,” said Keatley after Munster’s narrow win over Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.

“I don’t think it’s a surprise any more, I’ve been here a while now and they always travel well. They’re going to be there next week with us too. We really appreciate it too. We know they all spend their hardearned money to come and support us.

“We really appreciate it and hopefully we are giving them something back. It would be nice to give them a final after next week.”

Munster claimed two wins on the tour to South Africa against Southern Kings and Cheetahs, and became the first club to complete the double over the new arrivals in the Guinness PRO14.

It was a timely tour for the squad, which started straight away after their Champions Cup quarter-final win over Toulon, and catapulted them into the week’s preparation to face Racing 92 in the last four.

“We had a great mix,” said Munster’s on-song playmaker.

“We had really hard work and great fun, great bonding, a bit of socialising and the lads really enjoyed the trip.

“The people over here in South Africa were lovely, it was a great trip.”