Last week Eamonn Cregan brought his kids down to Thomond Park in Limerick. They wanted to see some local stars, pick up a few autographs. The Munster rugby team were the main attraction.

The former hurler and now county manager is well used to big occasions. He has spent years looking at teams and players, assessing them and shaping them.

But Cregan has a catholic appetite for sport. Rugby as well as hurling is in his family, as it is in the hearts of Limerick people.

Cregan doesn't claim to have an expert view on Munster rugby. He just claims to like the game and respect the players and management for what they have achieved.

"When I went down to Thomond last Thursday night a number of things impressed me about the Munster lads. What came through very strongly was how tight they are as a squad. Although I know they knew people were down to look and talk to them, they were laughing and genuinely enjoying everything. They looked like a side who have been playing together from knee high up.

"Going into the final against Northampton it will become important for the older players like Mick Galwey, Peter Clohessy and Keith Wood to speak to the others in the team, talk them through things which they know will happen, what they have experienced before. They will want to impart their own experience of playing in international matches in front of crowds of 40,000 or 50,000. That is a lot of pressure.

"One of the evident things about the Munster squad is the discipline Declan Kidney and the rest of the management team have instilled. Going back over the matches there were a few that Munster perhaps might not have won and they did because of what bonds them and because of their belief and confidence in each other.

"And the way they play the game I think is also important. They play Munster rugby. Not Australian or French or All Black rugby but a style that suits them, a Munster style. They are also comfortable with the ball in their hands, which I believe comes from GAA. I know a number of the players on the team come from a background of GAA and I think that gives them an added familiarity with carrying the ball.

"Declan Kidney has done a very good job in getting the squad to the level it is at now. You will notice that when he is interviewed before and after matches he always underplays himself and his own role. Everything is for the team. It is always for the team and I think that aspect and that type of thinking has been good for Munster.

"There is a great buzz in Limerick about the match and I think they deserve that support. I would also like to say that on behalf of the Limerick hurlers the best of luck and we really hope you win."