Year We Will Never Forget
(11 Jun 2009)
What a Year
Rocky Muprhy, Rocky O’Brien, Rocky Maguire – get used to it! New-borns all over the province are soon to be adorned with the great man’s name. Second- and
third-borns will most likely get some form of Jonathan (Johnno), while Brian, Luke, Jamie and Leo are already popular.
This is my third article (attempt!) to try to describe the three events of what is turning into an amazing year for Irish Rugby. It has been a privilege to have witnessed and experienced all three first hand – I can quiet gladly retire now in the full knowledge that I can tell my grandchildren I saw it all unfold first hand (when does next season start!!)
The ERC must love Ireland – Pre match observations
Suggestion – Irish provinces should just get a bye into the knock out rounds or at a minimum be given extra points for every win in the pool stages. There is no doubt about it Irish fans know how to fill a stadium and fill it with noise.
Remember unlike Munster fans who had pre-purchased tickets, accommodation, flights – the whole nine yards – we long suffering Leinster fans expected to be heading to Spain or Portugal in May! Despite the many challenges and the late start, Leinster fans from all over the province pulled out all the stops and flooded Edinburgh from all directions. 16 flights out of Dublin on Friday and 23 flights on Saturday. Ferries were jammed with cars and coaches. Many more travelled through circuitous routes, but all roads led to Edinburgh.
Add to this the numerous Munster fans who decided to keep going despite the
semi-final exit. It was mildly amusing to see so many of them wearing the red and struggling with their DNA-induced dislike of all things Leinster (Dublin really). This started out as mild mockery – I personally witnessed 25 Munster fans singing their heads off in the Murrayfield Hotel 2 hours before kick off – they had a poor Leinster fan cornered and were mocking his attempts at a Leinster song. I offered money if they would sing for Leinster for one day but they were not biting. As match time drew nearer I think they struggled with their conscience as the reality of how they would spend the next 90 minutes dawned on them. On balance, from what I could observe, they finally rowed in behind us and by the end of the match were Rocky converts, whatever about being True Blues for the day.
In numbers terms Irish people made up 65% of the attendance and 95% of the noise. Take the team announcements, unusually done by number (No. 1 for each team called out, followed by the No. 2’s and so on) – each Leicester name called out was drowned out by ‘Boohs’ while each Leinster man got a tumultuous roar – with Big Mal, Rocky and Drico getting the biggest cheers.
It struck me that Leicester fans were a little Final Weary, both from this year and in general – which is understandable – you can’t compare for example Kilkenny supporters at an All-Ireland final against say the fans of Clare or Wexford. This match meant so much more to the Leinster Team and the Leinster Fans – everything was going to be put into the pot and whatever the result nobody would leave Murrayfield saying they had not tried their absolute hardest.
The Match as it Unfolded
‘It is written’ – perhaps it is the naivety of youth that gives such self assurance but apparently it was young Jonathan Sexton who spent most of the match convincing his older team mates that the Gods would not let them down. His confidence and calmness in such a cauldron was one of the highlights of the day. Johnno was in the zone and he seemed to bring the team with him. Despite a couple of nervous moments from Luke (we forgive you Luke!) Leinster make an assured start. The first 20 minutes belong to Leinster with Johnno’s drop goal from the half way line sending the Leinster fans wild and the Leicester fans searching for their programme to find out who was this guy (why had nobody warned them).
Rocky and the boys up front are dismantling the Leicester lineout – is this down to Leo and Jenno knowing the Leicester calls? Whatever it is, it has the desired effect and Leicester are very much on the back foot. However you get the sense that Leinster need to turn their dominance into scores – this they nearly do when Johnno’s half break sends Darce through the middle – how he is pulled back inches form the line I will never know. The subsequent penalty relieves the siege for Leicester. As the half wears on Leicester claw their way back and a fantastic break from his own 22 by Hipkiss puts Leicester right on Leinster’s line. Stan is binned for clearing Vesty out of it – Leicester turn the screw and before you know it they are 4 points up – how did that happen. Worse was to follow just after half time and at 7 points down against a team as dogged as Leicester you feared the worst – another score for Leicester and that is it.
Unknown to us the Leinster Team were still exuding self belief and did not panic. They worked their way back into the game – a series of half breaks and quick rucks led to an incursion deep into the Leicester 22 – the right man was then in the right place – 10 yards out you will not stop Jamie – particularly with Jenno providing the turbo charge behind him. It’s all tied at 16 each and you suspect real drama awaits us – who wants it the most, who has most left in the tank and most of all who has the self belief.
The fans – who have already given their all – demand one last effort from themselves to lift the team. It is draining at this stage and that is just the fans. The chap beside me can’t take anymore – his head spends the next 20 minutes in his hands. I try to reassure him that we are still very much in it. The rest of us are out of our seats more than we are in them. The team drive forward – every break, every tackle are roared on. Where will the breakthrough come from. Drico is carrying a shoulder injury but is refusing to give into it. Both teams are making more mistakes now but Leinster appear to be finishing the stronger. Johnno misses a long range effort but with 9 minute to go, the man with the bad shoulder makes a jinking break and Johnno gets another chance. The ball appears to have a life of its own as it first verves out to the right, then turns mid air and just sneaks over the bar. The place erupts – the Leinster fans are on their feet continuously now – 9 minutes to go – these 9 minutes feel as long as the previous 71.
Jenno grabs a Leicester lineout at the back and puts in a fantastic kick to the corner. Hamilton the winger slips and it’s a Leinster lineout near the Leicester line – we contrive to lose the throw in and Leicester clear their lines. The same pattern is continued for the next 5 minutes – each time we get close we cough the ball up. It all means Leicester still have a chance right up to the last whistle to claw back. ‘Stand Up for the Boys in Blue’ rings around the ground – it finally ends and the team have reached the ultimate goal at their first attempt. Cue grown men crying (or at least the one beside me whose nerves were shot with 20 to go), lots of high fives and hugs – there is genuine joy at having witnessed our team not only win the Heineken Cup, but to have thoroughly deserved it and to have done it by coming from behind (giving up a lead is something that doesn’t happen to Leicester very often).
The Celebrations
The team are genuinely thrilled to have reached this pedestal. It is not often you see players galloping into the crowd to be mobbed. They even do a second lap of honour because it is taking that long for it all to sink in.
Drico comes on the ‘Mike’ and declares his love for Leinster (what about Amy !) and rightly gives credit to the stalwarts of the recent past – Victor, Reggie, Den – to this I would also add Keith Gleeson, Trevor Brennan, Shane Byrne…and many more who have donned the blue.
Felipe takes his final bow as he is hoisted shoulder high and presented to the crowd.
My brother, Nicky, who I have being trying to track down during the day, suddenly appears on the screen grabbing Drico and the cup – at least I know where he is now!
The Airport
On the return journey to the airport run in to some folks from Skerries Rugby Club (Jacinta & Co.). All agreed we wouldn’t have missed it for the world. Also run into Bill Mulcahy Snr and Jnr as we all try to get close to Rocky (does Rocky realise an ex-British & Irish Lion is trying to take his photograph!) and later meet Mark ‘Mushroom’ O’Connor, David Jones (UCD) and some colleagues from work (Irene Enright, Ross O’Donovan). Half of Leinster must be over for this.
One of the highlights of the day is the team arriving at Edinburgh airport to be spontaneously given a guard of honour on their way in. Cue lots of singing, back slapping and general camaraderie…..the team are genuinely taken aback by the tumultuous and spontaneous celebration Get picture taken with Felipe.
Post script
My family, including 6 year old Harriet, decide to head to the airport to collect ‘Dad’, but really to see the team – young Harriet has a ball, gets to meet Felipe and gets her name in the paper.
I also promised two lovely people I met on the plane that if I wrote an article I would definitely put them in it – so Brendan (Cork) and Geraldine (Milltown and Kilkenny) – you are now famous!
The End to a Year we will Never Forget – Kevin Mc Donough.