Munster abu!

It has been a long road for Munster rugby. They have knocked on the door a number of times, but they have finally been allowed to take their rightful place at the top table of European Rugby.

Having learnt how to win in 2006, the pressure was not the same going into Saturday’s final.

Previously, I said that if Tomas O’Leary started Toulouse would win. I was wrong (obviously), and while the service to Ronan O’Gara was not as slick as the outhalf is accustomed to, O’Leary marshalled his pack well and remained calm under pressure when clearing his lines on a number of important occasions. And he cannot be to blame for the Toulouse try, despite it being he who kicked the ball into touch.

Having soaked up so much Munster pressure and scored a try while captain Fabian Pelous was in the sin-bin, many would have expected the French team to step it up another gear and put increased pressure on the Munster line. But it wasn’t to be.

While many a Munster fan would not have been so positive after the first 20 minutes of the game, having endured a ferocious Toulouse onslaught and only down three points, a lot of heart was taken from it.

The French side would not have been happy with such a small lead from three attempted drops at goal. Not a good return on investment.

It was a game for the purists, while it ebbed and flowed, the final 20 minutes of warfare were the most intense this Heineken Cup Final has ever seen. The manner in which the Munster pack doggedly attacked the fringes time and again was a joy to behold. Not once did you see a player in navy lie prostrate waiting for the next play. Immediately back on their feet, ready to go over the top once more. Twice they gave away penalties. Twice they quickly retrieved possession from Toulouse with some almighty line-out and midfield defence. Where the strength was found to physically rip the ball from the French players is anyone’s guess. A 16th player always welcome and boy did the supporters play their part.

But to hold possession for the guts of 15 minutes at the end of such a battle truly showed this team’s physical and mental mettle. Quite how Alan Quinlan has been overlooked for selection on the Irish team is anyone’s guess.

So Declan Kidney leaves Munster a much happier man than his last exit in 2002 after the loss to Leicester Tigers. And he can attack his new Irish role with a renewed vigour, and as one of Europe’s most successful coaches.