Respect.
After Munster’s 26-10 defeat to Saracens at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, something special happened.
A sizeable contingent of Munster’s mammoth support stuck around.
They wanted to say thank you.
Thank you to the players for the incredible journey which they have brought the fans this season.
The Munster players have given the Red Army an opportunity to believe and to dream again.
Most of all, what they witnessed in the previous 80 minutes told you everything about this young group of players.
They have heart, determination and a stubbornness to keep going until the end.
If the players put in the effort, they will have the respect and admiration of the fans, it’s that simple.
https://twitter.com/ConorMurray_9/status/855867189076930564
In addition to this, Munster fans know when they have been well beaten.
The Saracens players also conducted a lap of applause when the game had finished and it was great to see them get a warm reception from the home support.
This continued well into Saturday evening it would seem as both sets of supporters mingled with one another in the watering holes of Dublin 4.
A tweet by @_carlyj who was in Mulligans bar in Sandymount revealed a great moment which shows the respect shown by rugby supporters.
https://twitter.com/_carlyj/status/855914083106918400
Father and son, Andy and Owen Farrell received a standing ovation when they entered the pub full of Munster fans.
And it’s not hard to see why.
Farrell put on a masterclass for Saracens on Saturday, overshadowing his opposite number Tyler Bleyendaal in the process.
His father, of course, acted as a coaching consultant for Munster last season and is currently the defence coach for the Irish national side.
The pair will play a pivotal role when the Lions look to secure a historic Test series victory over the All Blacks in a few months.
But most of all, Munster fans respect quality when they see it.
And the reaction above tells you just that.
