Munster have won their first silverware in 12 years, beating the Stormers 14-19 on their home patch at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town.
It was a worthy finale to the second season of the new URC branded Celtic League, which has seen a massive up surge in interest and prestige with the brilliant addition of the South African sides.
From a Munster perspective, it capped off two weeks of perfection; from Crowley's famous drop goal to down Leinster at the Aviva, to the immense build-up to today's final which saw hordes of Munster fans make the journey to South Africa. And the final itself - felling the reigning champions in their own back yard in a back-and-forth, closely fought, and tense 14-19 affair.
A Magical Day For Munster
The first-half saw Munster dominate possession and territory, but instead of a big lead they had three, rightfully, disallowed tries.
However, they did show impressive resolve to not let these set backs affect them, and were rewarded with a score from Calvin Nash after a pinpoint cross-field kick from the exceptional Jack Crowley.
The Stormers' only points of the half came through an early gift of an intercept pass, courtesy of Antoine Frisch.
5 nóim #STOvMUN@THESTORMERS - 7@Munsterrugby - 0
An chéad úd don chluiche ceannais faighte ag na Stormers agus cé eile ach Manie Libbok
Stormers get the first try of the final as Manie Libbok intercepts and gets his try@IrishRugby @URCOfficial#BKTURC #Rugby pic.twitter.com/K0SDC06k7k— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) May 27, 2023
28 nóim #STOvMUN@THESTORMERS - 7@Munsterrugby - 12
Mumha imigh chun tosaigh anois le Calvin Nash ag aimsiú an úd agus é tuillte go h-iomlán acu
Munster go ahead as Calvin Nash receives a cross field kick and touches down@IrishRugby @URCOfficial#BKTURC #Rugby pic.twitter.com/erESI8TTTE— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) May 27, 2023
READ HERE: "Truly Devastated": Tributes Paid To Tom Tierney
The second 40 was much more even, with the home side taking the lead and looking likely to scrape an arguably undeserved win.
However, as we have seen on countless occasions, Munster just do not go away.
Gavin Coombes showed remarkable desire and energy to make a game winning charge down on Manie Libbok, giving Munster possession deep in the Stormers half, with the pressure eventually leading to the winning try from John Hodnett.
The Stormers did manage to grind their way back into the Munster 22 in the dying moments, after Jack Crowley was sin binned for cynical play, but once again, Munster somehow summoned strength and energy from within and held up the Stormers' maul metres from their line.
Game over.
NERVES OF STEEL 😤
Relive @MunsterRugby's Championship winning try here ⤵️#BKTURC #URC | #UnitedWeRise | #STOvMUN pic.twitter.com/Hfv2iwaiHP— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) May 27, 2023
Munster's head coach, Graham Rowntree, has already solidified himself as a legend in the province after just his first season in charge.
The Englishman is an incredibly likeable and genuine character, who says exactly the right words, in interviews that show very clearly why he is so loved down south.
His post-final comments were no different as he cut a figure who was in disbelief at what he and his side had achieved, before composing himself and offering an inspiring run down of Munster's hard road to the final, and capping it off by dedicating the win to the fans and to the late Munster coach Tom Tierney.
It's a bit surreal, is this happening, is this really happening? It is.
You know we've done it the hard way as well. Six games away from home. We've come here, a venue like this, up against the current champions, we've done it tough.
This is for the whole province. People at the offices in Cork, Musgrave, people at the offices in Thomond, the fans, the people at home, the kids watching us. It's for everyone.
It's not been an easy year. We lost a great one with Tom Tierney, a great coach, an emotional year.
This is for the family of Tom, for everyone.
#STOvMUN@THESTORMERS - 14@Munsterrugby - 19
Príomhchóitsealaí Mumha, Graham Rowntree
Munster's Head Coach, Graham Rowntree gives his post game thoughts@IrishRugby @URCOfficial#BKTURC #Rugby pic.twitter.com/89tjMpyUWn— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) May 27, 2023
We'll just leave this here 🥹🫶#BKTURC #URC | #UnitedWeRise | #STOvMUN pic.twitter.com/FSxmeHGOVC
— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) May 27, 2023
SEE ALSO: Fans In Disbelief After Gavin Coombes Try Disallowed
