Munster take the Heineken Cup after epic clash in Cardiff
CHARGING TO VICTORY: Munster's Paul O'Connell shows true Munster grit and determination during yesterday's victory over Toulouse
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MAGICAL Munster brought the country to a standstill in one of Irish sport's greatest triumphs last night.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen led the tributes in Cardiff's Millennium Stadium as a brave Paul O'Connell and his Munster teammates won the Heineken Cup for the second time.
Back in Dublin, 69-year-old Giovanni Trapattoni's debut as Irish soccer manager was more nervewracking, with the team scoring in the 90th minute to draw 1-1 with Serbia.
But for the sports fans, the day was all about rugby. And the roars from 40,000 Munster fans in Cardiff found an echo in every corner of Ireland. O'Connell Street in Limerick went wild, and every pub in the country erupted with joy when the final whistle was blown.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen, like tens of thousands of sports fans, could hardly catch his breath after this triumph.
"Simply sensational. This is the team of a generation. They did themselves and Ireland proud. Declan Kidney and Paul O'Connell, who I thought was immense, knew exactly what to do and they delivered in the most high pressure environment I have ever witnessed in sport," the Taoiseach said.
It was a magical evening in Cardiff, and, for the 40,000 Munster fans, all the expense and the hassle of getting to the match was worth every penny.
They came from every corner of the globe to witness a performance of breathtaking resilience and courage, with Denis Leamy's try and the golden boot of Ronan O'Gara putting the men in blue on the path to a 16-13 victory.
But it was the pack, the beating heart of this great side, that won the day. In the last 10 pulsating minutes they dug deeper and deeper into the reserves of energy and spirit. To mark their victory, there will be a Homecoming Victory parade for the Munster Rugby team in Limerick City today starting with a Mayoral reception in City Hall at 2.45pm.
- JEROME REILLY in Cardiff
