2011 Celtic League Grand Final
Encyclopedia
The 2011 Celtic League Grand Final was the final match of the 2010–11 Celtic League season. The final was won by Munster who defeated Leinster by 19-9 at Thomond Park
to claim their third Celtic League
title.
. This was the second season to follow the play-off structure to determine the Celtic League champion, with the top four teams qualifying for the semi-finals. The winner of each semi final advanced to the Grand Final, which took place 28 May and was hosted by the team that finished highest in the table following the regular season, which was Munster. The previous week on 21 May, Leinster had won the 2011 Heineken Cup
.
Munster fielded the same starting line-up from their 18-11 semi-final win against the Ospreys.
An ankle injury sustained in the Heineken Cup Final prevented Leinster's Gordon D'Arcy
's from starting, Fergus McFadden
instead started alongside Brian O'Driscoll
in the centre.
Heinke van der Merwe
and Shane Jennings
also started for Leinster instead of Cian Healy
and Kevin McLaughlin from the Heineken Cup Final team.
All tickets for the final sold out.
The match was shown live on TV in Ireland by RTÉ Two
and also by TG4
, in the UK the match was covered by BBC Two Wales
and BBC Alba. Highlights were shown in Central and Northern Scotland on STV.
converted a Doug Howlett
try after twelve minutes before Jonathan Sexton
responded with a penalty for Leinster after twenty nine minutes to leave Munster 7-3 ahead at half time.
The Munster try, which Howlett scored in the corner was the first Munster scored against Leinster since 2009. In the second half Donncha O'Callaghan
was sin-binned for not rolling away and Sexton scored from the resulting penalty.
After sixty six minutes O'Gara found Keith Earls
with a cross-field kick to the corner which the winger caught before stretching to ground the ball with one hand. Munster were awarded a penalty try with one minute remaining, which O'Gara converted to leave the final score at 19-9.
style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center">
Leinster:
|
FB
15
Isa Nacewa
RW
14
Shane Horgan
CT
13
Brian O'Driscoll
CT
12
Fergus McFadden
LW
11
Luke Fitzgerald
FH
10
Jonathan Sexton
SH
9
Eoin Reddan
N8
8
Jamie Heaslip
OF
7
Shane Jennings
BF
6
Sean O'Brien
RL
5
Nathan Hines
LL
4
Leo Cullen
(c
)
TP
3
Mike Ross
HK
2
Richardt Strauss
LP
1
Heinke van der Merwe
Substitutions:
HK
16
Aaron Dundon
P
17
Cian Healy
P
18
Stan Wright
L
19
Devin Toner
L
20
Kevin McLaughlin
SH
21
Paul O'Donohoe
FH
22
Ian Madigan
C
23
Eoin O'Malley
Coach:
New Zealand Josef Schmidt
felt that fatigue may have been a factor in their defeat to Munster in the Final. He felt that coming only a week after their Heineken Cup win their energy levels may not have been a high as Munster's, "To be honest, I kind of felt that Munster needed it more than we wanted it. They showed a lot of character, and that made it difficult for us to really keep our tempo, and play the game that we wanted to play" he said.
Munster coach Tony McGahan
was delighted with his team's win saying "It’s huge for everyone right across the board, from the playing group, the management and the organisation to the development officers and young players coming through, and more important to the supporters. They can walk around with a smile on their faces, knowing that we have done something very important in the context of the Magners League season".
Munster captain Paul O'Connell
said that the game was a very good thing for Irish rugby, "Both sides have a lot of leadership, and no little skill, people talk about this being a good era for Ireland".
Munster's John Hayes
noted that it was important to win the knock out matches, saying “We were disappointing in Europe, but good in the Magners, you can finish the League phase of the competition on top of the table, but it doesn’t get you anything, it is important to win the knock-out matches".
Thomond Park
Thomond Park is a stadium located in Limerick in the Irish province of Munster. The stadium is owned by the Irish Rugby Football Union and count Munster Rugby, Shannon RFC and UL Bohemian RFC as tenants. The capacity of the stadium is 26,500 following its large scale redevelopment in...
to claim their third Celtic League
Celtic League (rugby union)
The Celtic League is an annual rugby union competition involving professional sides from Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
title.
Background and Build Up
2010-11 was the tenth Celtic League season and the fifth and final season with Magners as title sponsor. The regular season began on 3 September 2010 and finished on the weekend of 6–8 May 2011. During these stages, each team played every other team both home and away and were awarded points according to the standard bonus point systemRugby union bonus points system
The Rugby union bonus points system is a method of deciding table points from a rugby union match. It was implemented in order to encourage attacking play throughout a match, to discourage repetitive goal-kicking, and to reward teams for "coming close" in losing efforts...
. This was the second season to follow the play-off structure to determine the Celtic League champion, with the top four teams qualifying for the semi-finals. The winner of each semi final advanced to the Grand Final, which took place 28 May and was hosted by the team that finished highest in the table following the regular season, which was Munster. The previous week on 21 May, Leinster had won the 2011 Heineken Cup
2011 Heineken Cup Final
The 2011 Heineken Cup Final was the final match of the 2010–11 Heineken Cup, the 16th season of Europe's top club rugby union competition. The match was played on 21 May 2011 at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. The match was contested by Northampton Saints of England and Leinster of Ireland,...
.
Munster fielded the same starting line-up from their 18-11 semi-final win against the Ospreys.
An ankle injury sustained in the Heineken Cup Final prevented Leinster's Gordon D'Arcy
Gordon D'Arcy
Gordon William D'Arcy is an Irish rugby player, more specifically an inside centre. He is registered to Lansdowne RFC and plays for provincial and RaboDirect Pro12 side Leinster.-Career:...
's from starting, Fergus McFadden
Fergus McFadden
Fergus McFadden from Kilkenny is an Irish professional rugby union player. He is currently contracted to Leinster and the Irish rugby union. He plays club rugby for his university club UCD RFC.-Early career:...
instead started alongside Brian O'Driscoll
Brian O'Driscoll
Brian O'Driscoll is an Irish professional rugby union player. He is the current captain of the Ireland Rugby team and captained Leinster Rugby until the start of 2008 season. He also captained the British and Irish Lions for their 2005 tour of New Zealand...
in the centre.
Heinke van der Merwe
Heinke van der Merwe
Heinke van der Merwe is a professional South African rugby union rugby player. His first tour with the Springboks was to France, Italy, Ireland & England in late 2009 where he played in one test and two touring matches.In June 2010, van der Merwe joined Leinster on a 2 year contract, replacing CJ...
and Shane Jennings
Shane Jennings
Shane Jennings born 8 July 1981 in Dublin, Ireland is a rugby union player for Leinster Rugby in the RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup.He is also registered to St...
also started for Leinster instead of Cian Healy
Cian Healy
Cian Healy born 7 October 1987 in Clontarf, Dublin, Ireland, is an Irish rugby union footballer. He plays for Leinster and for the Ireland national team. He is registered to Clontarf RFC who play in AIB League Division 1...
and Kevin McLaughlin from the Heineken Cup Final team.
All tickets for the final sold out.
The match was shown live on TV in Ireland by RTÉ Two
RTÉ Two
RTÉ Two is a free-to-air general entertainment channel operated by Irish state broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann. RTÉ Two is available throughout the island of Ireland through digital terrestrial service Saorview, VHF and UHF bands, and is also available via satellite to Irish subscribers of...
and also by TG4
TG4
TG4 is a public service broadcaster for Irish language speakers. The channel has been on-air since 31 October 1996 in the Republic of Ireland and since April 2005 in Northern Ireland....
, in the UK the match was covered by BBC Two Wales
BBC Two Wales
BBC Two Wales is the national variation of BBC Two for BBC Cymru Wales. It is broadcast to Wales from Broaadcasting House in Cardiff. The channel can opt out from the main BBC Two schedule to show Welsh made programming, however this is used less frequently than in the past.Between 5 November 2001...
and BBC Alba. Highlights were shown in Central and Northern Scotland on STV.
2010-11 Final Table
Under the standard bonus point system, points were awarded as follows:- 4 points for a win
- 2 points for a draw
- 1 "bonus" point for scoring 4 tries (or more) (Try bonus)
- 1 "bonus" point for losing by 7 points (or fewer) (Losing bonus)
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | TA | Try bonus | Losing bonus | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Munster Munster Rugby Munster Rugby is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Munster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup.The team represents the Irish Rugby Football Union Munster Branch which is one of four primary branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for rugby union in the Irish... |
21 | 18 | 0 | 3 | 474 | 321 | +153 | 41 | 22 | 5 | 2 | 79 |
| 2 | Leinster Leinster Rugby Leinster Rugby, usually referred to simply as Leinster, is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Dublin, representing the Irish province of Leinster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro 12 and also competes in the Heineken Cup... |
21 | 14 | 1 | 6 | 457 | 333 | +124 | 46 | 25 | 4 | 3 | 65 |
| 3 | Ulster Ulster Rugby Ulster Rugby, usually referred to simply as Ulster, is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Belfast, representing the Irish province of Ulster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 and also competes in the Heineken Cup... |
21 | 14 | 1 | 6 | 460 | 405 | +55 | 41 | 34 | 3 | 2 | 63 |
| 4 |  Cardiff BluesCardiff Blues Cardiff Blues are one of the four professional Welsh regional rugby union teams. Based in Cardiff, the capital of Wales, the team have played at Cardiff City Stadium since the start of the 2009/2010 season and are owned by Cardiff Rugby Football Club.... |
21 | 13 | 1 | 7 | 456 | 354 | +102 | 35 | 29 | 3 | 3 | 60 |
| 5 | Ospreys |
21 | 11 | 1 | 9 | 541 | 408 | +133 | 56 | 28 | 6 | 7 | 59 |
| 6 | Scarlets |
21 | 11 | 1 | 9 | 465 | 430 | +35 | 45 | 41 | 4 | 7 | 57 |
| 7 | Newport Gwent Dragons Newport Gwent Dragons Newport Gwent Dragons are one of the four professional Rugby Union regional teams in Wales. They are jointly owned by Newport RFC and the Welsh Rugby Union and play all their home games at Rodney Parade, Newport. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12, the Anglo-Welsh Cup and the Heineken Cup... |
21 | 10 | 1 | 10 | 431 | 442 | −11 | 46 | 46 | 3 | 3 | 48 |
| 8 |  Edinburgh |
21 | 9 | 0 | 12 | 415 | 429 | −14 | 39 | 41 | 2 | 5 | 43 |
| 9 | Connacht Connacht Rugby Connacht Rugby is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Connacht that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 comprising teams from the Celtic nations plus Italy. Normally, it also competes in the second-tier pan-European club competition, the European Challenge Cup... |
21 | 7 | 1 | 13 | 388 | 437 | −49 | 32 | 40 | 3 | 6 | 39 |
| 10 |  Benetton TrevisoBenetton Rugby Treviso Benetton Rugby Treviso are an Italian professional rugby union club currently competing in the RaboDirect Pro12 and the Heineken Cup.They are based in Treviso in Veneto, and owned by the Benetton clothing company.... |
21 | 8 | 0 | 13 | 343 | 496 | −153 | 26 | 58 | 0 | 2 | 34 |
| 11 | Glasgow Warriors Glasgow Warriors The Glasgow Warriors, formerly Glasgow Rugby, are one of two professional rugby union teams in Scotland, Edinburgh being the other. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12 and their home ground is Firhill Stadium, also the home of Partick Thistle Football Club.-History:Glasgow Rugby were created to... |
21 | 6 | 1 | 14 | 398 | 505 | −107 | 33 | 44 | 1 | 6 | 33 |
| 12 | Aironi Aironi Aironi Rugby are an Italian professional rugby club competing in the RaboDirect Pro12 and the Heineken Cup. They represent the Italian regions of Lombardy and Emilia Romagna.- Home ground :... |
21 | 1 | 0 | 20 | 237 | 505 | −268 | 20 | 52 | 0 | 7 | 11 |
| Correct as of 30 April 2011 | |||||||||||||
Previous 2010-11 Celtic League meetings
Semi-finals
----Summary
Ronan O'GaraRonan O'Gara
Ronan John Ross O'Gara is an Irish rugby union player, playing at fly-half for both Munster and Ireland. He is the all time highest point scorer for both Munster and Ireland. In addition to his prolific point-scoring, he has captained Munster, Ireland and the British and Irish Lions...
converted a Doug Howlett
Doug Howlett
Douglas Charles Howlett is a professional New Zealand rugby union player of Tongan descent. He is primarily a wing but he has also covered fullback at national and international levels. He currently plays in Ireland with Munster. He is the brother of former Tongan rugby league international Phil...
try after twelve minutes before Jonathan Sexton
Jonathan Sexton
Jonathan Sexton , is a rugby union player for Leinster Rugby in the Celtic League and Heineken Cup. Sexton is a nephew of former Garryowen, Munster and Ireland rugby player Willie Sexton.Sexton is registered to St...
responded with a penalty for Leinster after twenty nine minutes to leave Munster 7-3 ahead at half time.
The Munster try, which Howlett scored in the corner was the first Munster scored against Leinster since 2009. In the second half Donncha O'Callaghan
Donncha O'Callaghan
Donncha O'Callaghan is an Irish rugby union footballer. He plays as a lock for Munster and Ireland.- Early career :He began his rugby education in Highfield Rugby Club, on the Model Farm Road in Cork. During the 1997/98 season he won a Schools Senior Cup with the Christian Brothers College, Cork,...
was sin-binned for not rolling away and Sexton scored from the resulting penalty.
After sixty six minutes O'Gara found Keith Earls
Keith Earls
Keith Earls is an Irish rugby union footballer for Munster in the RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup. Internationally, Earls plays for Ireland, and he represented the British and Irish Lions on their 2009 tour to South Africa. He plays as an Outside Centre, Winger or Fullback. He won a Munster...
with a cross-field kick to the corner which the winger caught before stretching to ground the ball with one hand. Munster were awarded a penalty try with one minute remaining, which O'Gara converted to leave the final score at 19-9.
Details
| style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"> | Munster: | ||
| FB | 15 | Felix Jones Felix Jones (rugby union) Felix Jones is a Dublin-born Irish international rugby union player, currently contracted to Munster in the RaboDirect Pro12. He signed for Munster in 2009 having previously been a member of the Leinster Academy... |
|
| RW | 14 | Doug Howlett Doug Howlett Douglas Charles Howlett is a professional New Zealand rugby union player of Tongan descent. He is primarily a wing but he has also covered fullback at national and international levels. He currently plays in Ireland with Munster. He is the brother of former Tongan rugby league international Phil... |
|
| CT | 13 | Danny Barnes Danny Barnes (rugby union) Danny Barnes is an Irish rugby union footballer who plays for Munster Rugby in the RaboDirect Pro12... |
|
| CT | 12 | Lifeimi Mafi Lifeimi Mafi Lifeimi Mafi is a Tongan rugby union player, who currently plays for the Irish side Munster in the RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup.-Career in New Zealand:... |
|
| LW | 11 | Keith Earls Keith Earls Keith Earls is an Irish rugby union footballer for Munster in the RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup. Internationally, Earls plays for Ireland, and he represented the British and Irish Lions on their 2009 tour to South Africa. He plays as an Outside Centre, Winger or Fullback. He won a Munster... |
|
| FH | 10 | Ronan O'Gara Ronan O'Gara Ronan John Ross O'Gara is an Irish rugby union player, playing at fly-half for both Munster and Ireland. He is the all time highest point scorer for both Munster and Ireland. In addition to his prolific point-scoring, he has captained Munster, Ireland and the British and Irish Lions... |
|
| SH | 9 | Conor Murray Conor Murray Conor Murray is an Irish rugby union footballer who plays for Munster in the RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup. Murray attended St.Munchins secondary school and was part of the same Munster Senior Cup squad as current Munster and Ireland colleague Keith Earls... |
|
| N8 | 8 | James Coughlan James Coughlan James Coughlan is an Irish rugby union player for Munster in the RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup. He normally plays at Number 8 but has also played at both Blindside and Openside Flanker.-Early rugby career:... |
|
| OF | 7 | David Wallace David Wallace (rugby player) David P. Wallace is an Irish rugby union player for Munster and Ireland. He grew up in Limerick on the Ennis Road. He did not leave Limerick until the age of 17, when he started playing for Munster. He normally plays as an Openside Flanker, but has also played Blindside and Number 8... |
|
| BF | 6 | Donnacha Ryan Donnacha Ryan Donnacha Ryan is a rugby union player for Munster in the Magners League. He went to school in St. Munchin's College in Limerick where he was a key member of the side that won the Munster Schools Rugby Senior Cup in 2002... |
|
| RL | 5 | Paul O'Connell Paul O'Connell Paul O'Connell is an Irish rugby union player who plays lock for Munster and Ireland. He also captained the British and Irish Lions on their 2009 tour to South Africa.-Early life:... (c) |
|
| LL | 4 | Donncha O'Callaghan Donncha O'Callaghan Donncha O'Callaghan is an Irish rugby union footballer. He plays as a lock for Munster and Ireland.- Early career :He began his rugby education in Highfield Rugby Club, on the Model Farm Road in Cork. During the 1997/98 season he won a Schools Senior Cup with the Christian Brothers College, Cork,... |
|
| TP | 3 | John Hayes John Hayes (rugby player) John Hayes is an Irish rugby union player, who plays in the RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup for Munster. Having spent his underage career playing with the local Cappamore GAA club, he was 18 when he started playing rugby. It was his size which enabled him to overcome his late start to the sport... |
|
| HK | 2 | Damien Varley Damien Varley Damien Varley is a rugby union player for Munster. He plays as a Hooker. Varley was educated in St. Munchin's College in Limerick where he scored two tries as Munchin's won the Munster Schools Senior Cup final in 2002. He studied at the University of Limerick... |
|
| LP | 1 | Marcus Horan Marcus Horan Marcus Horan is an Irish rugby union player who plays loose-head-prop for Munster and Ireland.Horan was educated at St. Munchin's College and Limerick Institute of Technology... |
|
| Substitutions: | |||
| HK | 16 | Mike Sherry Mike Sherry Mike Sherry is a rugby union player for Munster. He plays as a Hooker. Sherry was educated at Ard Scoil Ris.-Munster:... |
|
| P | 17 | Wian du Preez Wian du Preez Wian du Preez is a rugby union player for Munster in the RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup. He plays as a prop, primarily at loosehead.-Cheetahs:du Preez, a native of Free State, played for the Cheetahs from 2007 until 2010... |
|
| P | 18 | Stephen Archer Stephen Archer Stephen Archer is an Irish professional rugby union player. His position is Tighthead Prop. He plays his club rugby with Cork Constitution and provincially with Munster.He has represented Ireland at underage levels up to Under-20.... |
|
| L | 19 | Denis Leamy Denis Leamy Denis Leamy is an Irish professional rugby union player. He is a back row forward who can play either blind side flanker or at number 8, and has occasionally played at inside centre... |
|
| FL | 20 | Niall Ronan Niall Ronan Niall Ronan is an Irish rugby union player for Munster in the RaboDirect Pro12. He plays as a flanker.Ronan grew up playing Gaelic football and represented Meath GAA in the All-Ireland Minor Football Championship. He won the Senior Schools Leinster Championships in 2000 with St. Mary's, Drogheda... |
|
| SH | 21 | Peter Stringer Peter Stringer Peter Alexander Stringer is an Irish rugby union player who plays at scrum half for Munster and Ireland. He is one of the most recognisable players in world rugby as Stringer stands only 1.7m tall and weighs in at just over 70 kg .-Career:In February 2000, he made his debut for Ireland... |
|
| FH | 22 | Paul Warwick | |
| C | 23 | Johne Murphy Johne Murphy Johne Murphy is an Irish rugby union footballer who plays Wing, Full-back or Centre for Munster Rugby in the RaboDirect Pro12... |
|
| Coach: | |||
 Australia Tony McGahanTony McGahan Tony McGahan is an Australian rugby union coach and the current director of coaching of Munster.-Early career:Born in Queensland, Australia, a teacher by profession, a BE in Physical Education from Queensland University of Technology, he played Rugby Union with Queensland Schoolboys and Eastern... |
|||
Isa Nacewa
Isakeli Nacewa is a New Zealand-born rugby union footballer of Fijian descent. He is a utility back and represents Leinster Rugby in the RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup competitions. He previously represented the Blues in the Super Rugby competition and Auckland in the Air New Zealand Cup...
Shane Horgan
Shane Patrick Horgan born 18 July 1978 in Bellewstown, County Meath is a rugby union player who plays wing or centre for Leinster and Ireland. He is tall. While he was young he played for Boyne RFC. He also played Gaelic football at Minor level with Meath.Horgan joined Lansdowne on leaving...
Brian O'Driscoll
Brian O'Driscoll is an Irish professional rugby union player. He is the current captain of the Ireland Rugby team and captained Leinster Rugby until the start of 2008 season. He also captained the British and Irish Lions for their 2005 tour of New Zealand...
Fergus McFadden
Fergus McFadden from Kilkenny is an Irish professional rugby union player. He is currently contracted to Leinster and the Irish rugby union. He plays club rugby for his university club UCD RFC.-Early career:...
Luke Fitzgerald
Luke Matthew Fitzgerald is a Rugby Union footballer. He currently plays at winger or centre for Leinster. Having previously studied at Blackrock College he won two Leinster Schools Senior Cups, in 2004 and 2006. He won his first cap for Ireland in November 2006...
Jonathan Sexton
Jonathan Sexton , is a rugby union player for Leinster Rugby in the Celtic League and Heineken Cup. Sexton is a nephew of former Garryowen, Munster and Ireland rugby player Willie Sexton.Sexton is registered to St...
Eoin Reddan
Eoin Reddan is an Irish rugby union player who plays at scrum half. He attended school at Crescent College Comprehensive where he captained the school side. On leaving school he studied at the University of Limerick....
Jamie Heaslip
James Peter Richard "Jamie" Heaslip is a Leinster & Irish rugby union player.- Early life :Heaslip was born in Tiberias, Israel, while his father, retired Brigadier General Richard Heaslip, was there on duty with UNIFIL. He attended Newbridge College before starring at the 2004 U-21 World Cup in...
Shane Jennings
Shane Jennings born 8 July 1981 in Dublin, Ireland is a rugby union player for Leinster Rugby in the RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup.He is also registered to St...
Sean O'Brien
Sean O'Brien may refer to:*Seán O'Brien , Gaelic footballer with Nemo Rangers*Sean O'Brien , Irish rugby union player*Sean O'Brien , based in Australia, competes on the Windsurfing World Tour...
Nathan Hines
Nathan Hines is an Australian-born Scottish rugby player. He currently plays for ASM Clermont Auvergne...
Leo Cullen
Leo Cullen may refer to:*Leo Cullen *Leo Cullen...
(c
Captain (sports)
In team sports, a captain is a title given to a member of the team. The title is frequently honorary, but in some cases the captain may have significant responsibility for strategy and teamwork while the game is in progress on the field...
)
Mike Ross
Michael Avery “Mike” Ross is the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Democratic Party. Ross is currently the dean of the Arkansas congressional delegation, or its most senior member...
Richardt Strauss
Richardt Strauss is a South African rugby union player for Leinster Rugby. Strauss' choice of position is Hooker.-Career:...
Heinke van der Merwe
Heinke van der Merwe is a professional South African rugby union rugby player. His first tour with the Springboks was to France, Italy, Ireland & England in late 2009 where he played in one test and two touring matches.In June 2010, van der Merwe joined Leinster on a 2 year contract, replacing CJ...
Cian Healy
Cian Healy born 7 October 1987 in Clontarf, Dublin, Ireland, is an Irish rugby union footballer. He plays for Leinster and for the Ireland national team. He is registered to Clontarf RFC who play in AIB League Division 1...
Stan Wright
Stan Wright born 29 September 1978 is a Cook Island international rugby union player and his current club is Stade Francais in France....
Devin Toner
Devin Toner is a professional rugby player. Educated at Castleknock College, Dublin, he plays in the second-row for Ireland and the Irish province Leinster...
Paul O'Donohoe
Paul O'Donohoe is a professional rugby union player. O'Donohoe plays at scrum half for Connacht Rugby after signing from Leinster Rugby in the Summer of 2011...
Eoin O'Malley
Eoin O'Malley is an Irish professional rugby union player for Leinster. O'Malley plays as a Centre.-Career:O'Malley played rugby for Belvedere College and represented both Leinster schools and Ireland Schools. O'Malley earned 7 caps for the Ireland under-19 and a further 10 for the Ireland...
New Zealand Josef SchmidtJosef Schmidt (rugby union)
Josef Schmidt is a New Zealand rugby union coach. Schmidt coached the New Zealand Schools Rugby Team before coaching Bay of Plenty Rugby Union from 2003–2004. While at the Steamers he won the Ranfurly Shield defeating Auckland on August 15, 2004 The Steamers had one successful defence of the title...
Touch judges: Television match official: |
Reaction
Leinster coach Josef SchmidtJosef Schmidt (rugby union)
Josef Schmidt is a New Zealand rugby union coach. Schmidt coached the New Zealand Schools Rugby Team before coaching Bay of Plenty Rugby Union from 2003–2004. While at the Steamers he won the Ranfurly Shield defeating Auckland on August 15, 2004 The Steamers had one successful defence of the title...
felt that fatigue may have been a factor in their defeat to Munster in the Final. He felt that coming only a week after their Heineken Cup win their energy levels may not have been a high as Munster's, "To be honest, I kind of felt that Munster needed it more than we wanted it. They showed a lot of character, and that made it difficult for us to really keep our tempo, and play the game that we wanted to play" he said.
Munster coach Tony McGahan
Tony McGahan
Tony McGahan is an Australian rugby union coach and the current director of coaching of Munster.-Early career:Born in Queensland, Australia, a teacher by profession, a BE in Physical Education from Queensland University of Technology, he played Rugby Union with Queensland Schoolboys and Eastern...
was delighted with his team's win saying "It’s huge for everyone right across the board, from the playing group, the management and the organisation to the development officers and young players coming through, and more important to the supporters. They can walk around with a smile on their faces, knowing that we have done something very important in the context of the Magners League season".
Munster captain Paul O'Connell
Paul O'Connell
Paul O'Connell is an Irish rugby union player who plays lock for Munster and Ireland. He also captained the British and Irish Lions on their 2009 tour to South Africa.-Early life:...
said that the game was a very good thing for Irish rugby, "Both sides have a lot of leadership, and no little skill, people talk about this being a good era for Ireland".
Munster's John Hayes
John Hayes
John Hayes may refer to:In academia:* John Hayes , British art historian and museum director, expert on GainsboroughIn entertainment:* John Hayes , American director of low-budget films...
noted that it was important to win the knock out matches, saying “We were disappointing in Europe, but good in the Magners, you can finish the League phase of the competition on top of the table, but it doesn’t get you anything, it is important to win the knock-out matches".