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On this day: 'The Miracle Match' in Thomond

John Kelly scored the cricial try
John Kelly scored the cricial try

Some 18 years has passed, but the heroics shown by Munster in advancing from their pool in the 2002-03 Heineken Cup are still fondly remembered to this day. 

Heading into their pool game, Munster had to beat Gloucester by four clear tries and a minimum of 27 points.

Somehow they did it - going right to the wire in a pulsating game that would later be labelled, 'The Miracle Match'.

Aside from their two European triumphs, this display in Thomond ranks as their most memorable moment.

John Kelly was the man who got the last of those tries, deep in stoppage time, while Ronan O'Gara later claimed that he didn’t realise his conversion was needed.

He soon found out as the crowd invaded the pitch to celebrate a miraculous qualification with their heroes.

Munster finished second in Pool 2 and went through as one of the two best runners-up.

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