Munster rugby stars rally round for former coach

THERE was one poignant moment that aptly sums up the Munster ‘family’ ethos in the midst of the jubilation marking their third Magners League Trophy recently.
Veteran out-half Ronan O’Gara wheeled Munster strength and conditioning coach, Paul Darbyshire, who is battling motor neurone disease, to the podium, where he was presented with the cup in the after-match celebrations at Thomond Park.
While Munster players were thrilled to end the season on a high note, defeating favourites Leinster 19-9, the victory was tinged with sadness in the knowledge it was the last game for their former coach.
‘Darbs’ as he is affectionately known, was told he would not be able to attend any more Munster games a few months ago but Munster’s new forwards coach Anthony Foley said this was never going to be the case and he went to considerable effort to attend the semi-final and final.
The last time the former Warrington Wolves player worked with Munster was back in September, when Leinster defeated their arch rivals 13-9.
Munster manager Shaun Payne revealed Paul’s presence on the sideline was another driving force that helped the men in red succeed against the odds.
“Paul had gone back to Warrington to be with his family.
“He made a massive effort to attend the semi-final and final. It meant a massive amount to us. It was almost like we had to do it for Paul, to be honest,” he said.
Munster prop John Hayes agrees it was an added motivation for Munster players, who knew this was their last game of the season and were aware of forthcoming fundraising for their former coach.
“Paul was on the sideline in a wheelchair. When we were going in and out at half-time, you could see him there. You wanted to do it for him.
“Ronan O’Gara wheeled him over for the presentation. It shows the esteem players have held him for what he has done for us over the years,” he added.
When Paul was diagnosed with motor neurone disease last September, Munster set up a charity to raise funds to support his family and for motor neurone research.
Payne, who lives in Ballina, Killaloe, was one of the organisers of a barbecue held outside Flanagan’s Bar and restaurant on Sunday.
John Hayes brought the Magners League Trophy across the lake on a boat from Kincora Harbour and was escorted across to Flanagan’s by the Killaloe Coast Guard unit, who also provided stewarding on the day.
A few hundred people were entertained by the Munster Rugby Choir and novelty events.
Killaloe rugby greats including former Lions and Irish captain Keith Wood and former Ireland and Munster No 8 Anthony Foley showed their solidarity by attending the event.
The Munster Rugby Cycle for Paul and motor neurone research takes place in Musgrave Park in Cork this Sunday, finishing in Trinity College Dublin on Tuesday. The first stage, a 98km cycle from Musgrave Park to Thomond Park, will involve the full Munster academy as well as 22 senior players, some of whom are taking time out from their holidays.
The cycle then moves to the UK, finishing in Warrington on Thursday, June 23.
A native of Wigan in the north of England, Paul (41) played almost all his professional Rugby League career with Warrington Wolves. He is married to Lyndsay and has four children, Ella (13), Georgia (11), Jack (7) and baby Harry, born last October. His father died from the disease.
Keith Wood said the disease has struck down a number of players he played against, including South African Joost van de Westhuizen and former London Irish player Gerard Cunningham, who died recently.
Van der Westhuizen played 89 tests for South Africa from 1993-03 and still shares the Springboks’ try-scoring record in tests (38) with current wing Bryan Habana. He is the fourth most capped player for South Africa.
“It is very hard to see a guy who was part and parcel of the Munster set up for years get this disease.
“It is the great thing about Munster; they still look after their own even though he is gone.
“It is part of the big Munster family. He became close with a lot of players on the squad because he was very good at his job,” he said.
Once Paul was diagnosed, Payne said it was incredibly difficult for him because he knew what he was facing following the death of his father.
“It was devastating for all of us when Paul’s illness was diagnosed. You don’t think fit strong people can be struck down by such a disease.
“You see the way he struggles now, he can’t speak, uses a wheelchair, struggles to swallow and he can’t eat.
“He had a really good way with the players, he was fiercely determined and a driven guy that rubbed off on the players.
“Strength and conditioning coaches can be very scientific but he was more about the ethos, fitness, drive the passion.
“He brought so much to the squad. All the senior players have a massive amount of respect for Paul.
“A lot of the drive in terms of fitness and attitude comes from strength and conditioning coaches, who deal with the players every day,” he said.
Anthony Foley said Paul brought a lot of enthusiasm, know-how from his Rugby League background coupled with his strength and conditioning work, which he was highly qualified at.
“He brought us to another level, which helped us to stay at the top of our game in Europe. All players and people who worked with him have a great deal of respect for him and time for his family.
“He only had me for a few seasons.
“He was tough, uncompromising, with a good knowledge of what was required. He was a big benefit for everyone.
It was a shock to everyone, particularly to his family. We all stick together; you wouldn’t like anyone to go through that.
“It is one of those diseases that  needs more research and funding to find a cure,” he added.
John Hayes said he brought a hard-nosed new edge to training, took no nonsense on the field, knew how to get the best out of players and played a big role in the success of the team.
“Whether young or old, big or small, he would tailor a programme to suit your fitness.
“He had played Rugby League to a high level, he knew what it took, how to play, he wasn’t just a theory man, he had it from playing at top level.
“I was in my 30s when he came, there was other lads in their 20s; he knew how to tailor a programme for someone like me who was older and was already fully developed from a weight perspective.
“Everyone wanted to do something on and off the field.
“There is a cycle next week, fellas who were not on a bike for years are heading off and some of them are coming back especially from their holidays,” he added.