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Munster face tough video decision
on 27/09/2012 00:00:00
Between now and Sunday week, school supporters will be asked to record 30-second video messages on why the likes of Paul O'Connell, Dougie Howlett, and Donncha O'Callaghan should make a special visit their class.
The initiative, which is open to schools throughout Munster, is part of a joint move by the team and the Brown Thomas stores in Cork and Limerick. BT is the team's official fitted formal wear partner.
A video centre allowing the children - and, presumably, some overly keen adults - to record their messages to the players was set up in Cork City's Brown Thomas yesterday.
It will remain in the Rebel County until Sunday evening, then move to the Limerick branch of BT from Oct 3 until Oct 7.
All videos will then be reviewed by a judging panel before two lucky winners are told they and their classmates will be honoured with a special visit by their sporting heroes in the weeks before Christmas.
Speaking at the launch of the major community initiative, which was also attended by popular stars Simon Zebo and James Coughlan, Donncha O'Callaghan said it was a joy to meet the first video fans - and pass on some timely advice.
"Always, with every kid in Cork, they have incredibly good manners. They always say please and thank you. It's a small thing but it means an awful lot.
"The biggest thing we say to the kids is, in any sport, just enjoy it. That's probably the reason we all became good at rugby, because we loved togging out. An awful lot of that goes back to our underage coaches, just going out and having fun.
"Granted, that goes a bit when you get to our age. The last thing anyone wants to hear is we lost the match but enjoyed it but, at their age, having as much fun as they can is definitely the key to it."
The stars earlier mingled with young fans and their families, including 10-year-old fifth-class St Joseph's pupil Desmond Lee, who had honoured his favourite player in an admittedly creative way.
"We have a labrador and his name's Dougie Howlett, even down to the second name on the collar," his mother Deirdre joked.
Munster's super fan? We think we have a winner.