An SOS from our own Mike Haley was received by his dad Tim on Wednesday 21st February for some Hoppers socks for him to wear for the Munster home game against Zebre on 1st March 2024.
The United Rugby Championship (URC) have been promoting the originating rugby clubs from where the players taking part in the URC came from. – by getting them to wear their clubs socks.
That evening Tim dug out Hugh Duckworth to raid the shop.
The socks were then delivered down in London a couple nights later at The Stoop – home of Harlequins, who were playing Munster in a friendly on Friday 23rd February. Munster won 45-35 and Mike bagged a try in the first half.
Pictured after the Quins game, Mike with his sister Viv and dad Tim. The socks are now safely in his pocket!
Match day Friday 1st March 2024. Kit ready in the changing room at Musgrave Park, Cork.
Mike Haley running in a first half try for Munster on the way to a bonus point 45 – 29 win against Zebre. Mike also got the MOM award.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZU4t6I8bErI&t=72s
Mike with his grandad Jack Haley – back in the day.
Mike’s next game for Munster will be his 100th. Before that he had also chalked up 109 games for Sale Sharks, a couple of appearances for England Saxons, played in England XV that beat the Barbarians and earned a cap for Ireland.
However, it all started with Preston Grasshoppers when, Mike, now 29, first put on kit for Hoppers aged 8.
Mike wanted to pass on the following message post-match ‘Best wishes to everyone back at Hoppers where my rugby journey started and Hugh, I know I owe you for the socks! The cheques in the post”. Once a Hopper always a Hopper!
