Another Day we will never forget
Let’s start at the end this time. Like the recession, nobody saw this one coming. Some Leinster fans could at least consider we had a chance, but nobody could have predicated the manner in which Leinster out-muscled and out-manoeuvred Munster. The level of shock was palpable all round the ground as events unfolded. As Leinster fans we were humbled by the sheer intensity and effort put in by the team.
So what did happen?
Days leading up to the Match
Leinster kept it very low key – even when the Lions were announced it was only Munster players that could be heard on the airwaves (and Alan Quinlan’s mammy – though even her prayers may not save him after his recent citing hearing).
We had the ticket debacle to distract us for 2 weeks – I think the least said about this the better other that one hopes lessons have been learnt. But it was another reason for Munster fans to marvel at our incompetence (we can’t even get out ticket allocation right!).
Nobody gives Leinster even a glimmer of hope and who can blame them. In all the recent major Heineken games Munster have come through and Leinster have folded (I can list them out if you want – 2006 semi-final Vs Munster; 2007 quarter final Vs. Wasps; 2008 – take your pick – Edinburgh, Toulouse, Leicester all away). This year was not a lot different (good at home, a little shaky away) but after limping their way through the pool stages, Leinster follow it up with a gutsy backs against the wall job at The Stoop – hey presto they are in the semi-final….but realistically have not got a breeze against a team that have charged their way through to this point.
Leading up to Kick Off
‘The nearer to the Church, the further from God’ best applies to the Leinster fans and Croker. All the Munster men are in their pre-match positions early as the build up begins. The Leinster chaps are still having the lunch and wondering if the taxi will arrive on time. Immediately one is looking for comparisons and differences from 2006 – both sets of supporters now wear their colours, there are still more of the Red Army but The Boys in Blue have shown up too. The Leinster flags appear to be bigger than the Red Army ones, pure fluke or psychological marketing. There appears to be more families in attendance (start them young I say). There is an edge in the air, you can’t see it but you can smell it and sense it.
The biggest difference for me was that Leinster appear to be more organised both on and off the pitch. We are still outnumbered but there is practically no Red in among the Blue and the Blue is evenly spread around the ground – so we are playing our part. From what I can see of the players they are very focussed in the warm up, everything is being done quickly and slickly.
The atmosphere is beginning to build – we all know we are about to witness something special. These guys all soldiered together up to a few weeks ago to achieve the ultimate in winning The Grand Slam. It is hard to get angry against a guy you have laid your life on the line for only a few weeks back. But then you remember the pain of 2006 and suddenly it’s Game On and getting fired up is not going to be a problem.
The Match as it Unfolded
What happens over the 90 minutes is well documented but to have experienced it as it unfolded was an amazing experience. From the off, you could sense Leinster were on a mission, but it took a while to realise that they could not only sustain their efforts but thwart Munster from executing their plans..
The first half was quiet even in terms of ‘moments’ with both sides making inroads at different stages. The most clear cut chance was when Earls burst though from a Mafi offload and looked to be through until Isa sized him up and then pulled him down. The line-outs were not going well but for some reason this did not translate into an advantage for Munster. Felipe was on fire and was attacking O’Gara and Stringer at every opportunity – there was intent in this and in almost everything Leinster were doing. The message was clear – Leinster were not leaving Croker today without having really put it up to Munster – as supporters this is all we really wanted (remembering we didn’t really think we could win).
Despite some things going wrong for Leinster – Cian in the bin, Felipe going off – Leinster exude an inner belief and confidence that carried them on. The key moment of the first half was a sweet move by Drico, Isa and Darce – there are very few players who could have finished off that move – Darce has a presence of mind to nearly always do the right thing while having the strength to execute it – he covered the last 5 yards on sheer will power. The place goes wild – Munster are rattled but hey, it is only a 5 point game at half time and all present expect Munster to come out all guns blazing – you could even argue we have annoyed them and we will pay for that.
The fact that this did not happen tells us all we need to know about the day. After 15 minutes of considered deliberations in the Munster dressing room there can have been no surprises – they knew how Leinster were playing and they knew what they needed to do. The one unknown was the longevity of Leinster’s resilience and determination – which turned out to be boundless. Some days it just all comes together.
Try No. 2 was simple in its execution – slick passing, strong hard running. In some sports attack is the best form of defence – in this match Leinster’s unrelenting focus on every tackle and every hit just blew the Munster juggernought off course and turned defence into attack. The crowning glory – the moment we knew we could do it – was Drico’s 70 yard dash for the posts. No fanfare, no waving his finger (Jamie were you watching), no jumping over hoardings (Ronan) – possibly because he couldn’t breathe!
The last 25 minutes is pure draining for the Munster fans as the door is categorically shut in their face. Leinster fans should not gloat about this – we have been here many times - when you know your team is beaten long before the end. Munster have given us all some great days out, when we didn’t have many – they will be back – we just hope that we will be there to join them from now on. We haven’t lost a great team (Munster) – we have just gained another one (Leinster).
Post Match
Declan Kidney always says to enjoy your days in the sun - well this one was a heat wave. It is not just the joy of winning and the final to look forward to – we all believe we have witnessed something special, a turning point for the growing movement that is Leinster Rugby. The players do a quick lap of honour but don’t bask in it too much – just quiet satisfaction that says ‘now do you believe me’. There is another job to do on 23rd May and we all have to play our part.
Munster fans are very gracious afterwards. They accept defeat, acknowledge the better team on the day won and implore us to go and win it.
One hour later plans are being hatched – we’ll take the whole family, make a weekend of it – surely anything is possible now after today. Several Munster fans assure us they are still travelling to the final having pre-booked – something tells me that by Monday that won’t seem such a promising prospect. If they do travel they will be most welcome as we have been sustained by their finals for years.
Post Script
We now know what the Munster men have endured for years – no flights, no hotels, maybe a ticket, won’t know for 2 weeks, no spare cash – these are the challenges. Having consulted with several of them I am assured that one just puts the head down – find a way to get there, have a loose arrangement for accommodation and a ticket will find you. Allez Les Bleus…..Le Fin.