Donnacha Ryan’s Fields of Athenry tribute had Munster fans in tears this evening

Donnacha Ryan was not coming off that pitch today with Racing 92's scalp and, by hell, he took it.

The Munster lock was an inspiration for his team in Paris today as they crushed the reigning Top 14 champions 32-7 on their own turf. Munster roared to the top of their Champions Cup pool and had the try-scoring bonus point secured as early as the 51st minute. Ryan had another top performance as he made six strong carries, 13 successful tackles, won a turnover, stole a lineout and was part of a Munster pack that scrummaged and mauled well. https://www.instagram.com/p/BO-OQ_WAcN1/?taken-by=sportsjoedotie CJ Stander won the official man-of-the-match but Ryan, who pushed him close, forever won his way into the hearts of Munster supporters after the game. As the victorious team went to the far stands to applaud the travelling Munster faithful, TV cameras picked up on Ryan silently humming along to Fields of Athenry.

Good on Donnacha Ryan - singing Fields of Athenry with the travelling @Munsterrugby fans pic.twitter.com/8ZEXrvPsYu

— Patrick McCarry (@patmccarry) January 7, 2017

He was feeling it this evening. For many rugby fans watching the game at home, the moment was not lost on them. https://twitter.com/niamhieobrien/status/817789619626450944 https://twitter.com/IKFalconer/status/817793472216399872 https://twitter.com/threeredkings/status/817789181565038595 https://twitter.com/MunsterHaka/status/817790609201184768 https://twitter.com/muscles5781/status/817793178925469697 There truly is a special bond between Munster and their supporters.