Alone it Stands

On 31 October 1978, underdogs Munster shocked the rugby world by defeating the mighty All Blacks 12–0 at Thomond Park, Limerick. From this iconic match, John Breen created Alone it Stands. A fast, funny, and inventive play where a handful of performers embody teams, fans, families, and even a dog, with nothing more than a half-time shirt change.

Celebrated for its humour and energy, it captures the magic of sport, the thrill of victory, and the joy of storytelling—perfect for sports fans and theatre lovers alike.

“This is rare: a play that has a beating heart as big as a hug from your mum, and yet is not even slightly mawkish. Even rarer, it has that heart, and yet is about the skull-splintering game of rugby union. Rarer still, it’s the most physical play I’ve seen.” – John Shand, Writing in the Dark

“Breen’s script moves quickly, pumping through a series of short scenes which capture the mood of both teams, as well as the broader Limerick community, before, during and after the match.” – Jo Bradley, Scribbles of Stage and Screen