European Cup digest

Compiled by Johnny Watterson

Medal count

THERE ARE now 223 players who own Heineken Cup final winners' medals. Of those, 42 have two medals, while Toulouse's Cedric Heymans is out on his own with three (with Brive in 1997 and Toulouse in 2003 and 2005).

Among the 42 double winners are the current Toulouse squad members Fabien Pelous - the only man to hold the distinction of captaining his side to two wins - Jean Bouilhou, Heymans, Yannick Jauzion, Finau Maka, Jean-Baptiste Poux and William Servat.

Holland's Cup final memories

JASON HOLLAND played for Munster in two finals and lives and works as a coach in Ireland.

"The thing that sticks with me was the last couple of minutes of the games we lost. I knew we were close to winning but had that feeling of being so close but also knowing that we weren't going to do it.

"That's the big thing with me because I didn't play in 2006.

"I don't suppose I'll ever be able to put that to bed. It was like we've a minute to go at 9-8 and they have the ball and not us.

"I think Pat Lam took it off the back of a scrum against Northampton in 2000 and Malone (Dominic) just had to kick it away. It was Jesus it's gone, it's gone.

"Yeah, I still haven't put that one to bed yet."

Hooked by Flannery ditty

A SONG ON the Ian Dempsey show yesterday morning drew the most attention from listeners since 2004's gift hit version of Dry Your Eyes Mate. It seems Jerry Flannery is on the road to deification.

Well some fans by themselves will take a plane or a boat across the water,

And they'll stand hand in hand, man to man and they're all supporting Munster,

Well we've all got our favourite Munstermen we like the best

I'm loving David Wallace and Alan Quinlan's manly chest

But when it's done and dusted there's only one Munsterman for me

Why don't you throw one over Flannery Flannery Flannery, Jerry Flannery Flannery.

Strong words

"THEIR MAIN strength is their fantastic squad depth which, to put it mildly, is simply mind-boggling."

- David Wallace keeps up the pre-final mind game of expressing intense mutual respect for the opposition. But, if Wallace believes that Toulouse are "mind-bogglingly" good and Munster think they can win the match, what does that make Munster?

Class act

"EVERYBODY IN third and fourth class in Portroe, Co Tipperary, would like to wish you all the best of luck on Saturday . . . We have all made posters for the weekend and will fly them high when we win. Some of our class and our teacher, Mr Casey, will be in Cardiff to cheer ye. He has promised no homework for us when you win the cup again."

- Posted on the Munster Rugby Supporters website.