Here they go gathering cups in May!

Hot off the heels of attending the Heineken Cup here’s my view on the events that passed.  Ok, so not quite hot on the heels and yes it has taken me a couple of days to get into a place where I can a) recall most of what went on and b) be able to type about that (more on that later).

So the day kicked off as you’d expect it to – on the train and then piling into a pub in Twickenham, along with the rest of Dublin and Belfast it felt!

The Irish taking over Twickenham High St

Once we made it to the stadium and up high in the gods to our seats we settled in to watch a decent game of rugby.  I was pleased to see both O’Driscoll and RobKearney making it back into the team from injury – it was to be said that BoD’s ability to come back from the hospital bed will be stuff of legends come the future.  If you haven’t guessed by now I was behind Leinster for two reasons – 1) I used to live in Dublin so they would be my home team and 2) the mad Irishman I was with (Ste) is a passionate Leinster fan and should Leinster win then I wouldn’t be able to take the jokes and barbs that would come my way following the win and if they didn’t win I’m not sure I could take his miserable face for the rest of the day.

Our view for the final - not bad!

So the game itself – a lively affair.  Was pleased to see that Ulster were keen to fling the ball around a fair bit.  They started very well and my friend to my right was getting a little nervy when they took an early 3-0 lead.  Ruan Pienaar not “Ruan-ing” that particular kick – a running poor joke that lasted the full 80 minutes and yet still reduced us to fits of giggles! 

Leinster soon hit back though with a try Sean O’Brien that showed the power that Leinster can now play with to go along with their finesse.  A back handed pass come offload from O’Driscoll (that epitomised the wonderful skill set he’s developed over his career and then) to O’Brien who then charged through the Ulster defence towards the try line started off the second try.   Cian ‘baby rhino’ Healy then trundled over the line to give Leinster a 14-3 lead, soon reduced to 14-6 just before half time with a monster penalty from Pienaar that made me wonder if Twickenham had suddenly been transported to the high veldt and they were actually playing at altitude!

Cian Healy's alter-ego

By this time the queue at the bar was long but we were thirsty however once at the head of the queue we were met with a “we don’t have Heineken on tap” anymore, they only had bottles where the money to beer ratio wasn’t as good.  So off we trundled to the next bar only to be met with “we don’t have any Heineken.  At all”.  Panic set in.  By now the second half was just about to start so we made the decision to forego beer and head back to the match.

Leinster scored a penalty try early in the second half when Ulster bought down an impressive rolling maul.  Leinster were really starting to bully Ulster out of the match.  Their scramble defence was epic, though there were times when the decision to run rather than pass by Ulster made the job a little easier.  They did get back in the match with a try Dan Tuohy which was when I made the fateful decision to find beer.  It was needed.

I had to go all the way back down to ground level and buy the last six bottles of Heineken from a vendor with a cool box on his back.  And then semi-sprinted up a seemingly endless spiral of stairs to get back to our seats with numerous people congratulating me on the way for going all out for the beer.  I was met at our seats with a greatful hug from Ste and many a pat on the back from numerous beer/rugby fans around me.  There may have been heroes down on the pitch but up in block U15, I was the man!

·         After the Ulster try, Leinster went on to nail their name back on the trophy with a try each from Van der Merwe and Cronin after good build up work for both.  Ulster’s defence was simply nowhere near the level of Leinster’s and it was great pomp and ceremony that Leinster were once again crowned champions of Europe.  And they deserve it.  The talk afterwards was of dynasties and wanting more trophies and even when O’Driscoll’s body does finally say enough is enough you can still see throughout the side, enough young talent to see them to more glory days.  Compare that to their kin down in Munster and you have to worry for the boys from Limerick.

Leinster parading the trophy around HQ

·          We stayed in Twickenham soaking up the atmosphere but not the Heineken as once again the stocks were depleted.  Note to the ERC and Heineken – when hosting the Heineken Cup final, be sure to bring enough Heineken, or if you don’t have enough ensure there’s a backup lager!

Later on we watched Chelsea’s amateur dramatic team pick up some other European trophy before heading for home, a sing along on the train, a rugby tackle gone wrong (my shoulder is still buggered but at least I can now type), a kebab and one or two more beers!

A good time had by all.  Next year it’s back to Dublinand the Aviva and it would only be right for Leinster to win it on home soil.  On this type of form and this level of confidence flowing through them who wouldn’t back them?