It was a famous night in Dublin 4 for the men of Munster as the Graham Rowntree's men shocked Leinster at the Aviva 16-15 to advance to the URC Final in two weeks time.
It's been a very long time since Munster have beaten Leinster at the Aviva - it took a Jack Crowley in the 78th minute taken right out of the Ronan O'Gara playbook to win the game.
Jack Crowley, from Bandon Grammar to top of the world!
SHADES OF ROGpic.twitter.com/kW0kKjzeD0— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) May 13, 2023
In truth, Munster deserved the victory. They dominated most of the game only to be let down time and again by basic handling errors just in front of the tryline.
Yet Munster continued to back themselves and kick scoreable penalties to the corner. In the end, justice of a kind was served. Munster's bravery helped the, to victory.
And while this result will be celebrated boisterously by Munster players and supporters alike, Peter O'Mahony's words to his team after the game say everything about the club's mentality this spring. This isn't about overturning your old rivals. It's about silverware.
READ ALSO: Leinster Fans Were Furious With Performance Referee During Munster Loss
Munster: 'This can't be our final'
While speaking to RTÉ after the game, Munster Graham Rowntree said that O'Mahony's words to his teammates were simple.
"Pete just spoke very well in the dressing room. He said 'that can't be our final'.
We've had a tough run, five games away from home, been to some tough places and won games without being perfect. We're still growing our game but we'll take a lot of belief from that.
"Shaken things up? My nerves are shaken! I thought we'd blown our opportunity." Munster head coach Graham Rowntree reacts to his side's stunning victory over Leinster and looks forward to the final. #RTErugby pic.twitter.com/LSroF7cVc5
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) May 13, 2023
While being interviewed by RTÉ, O'Mahony said he didn't think Munster were done.
We want another one, we want one more win. This is an important one. This is a stepping stone for us. I think we have a trip down to South Africa now, do we? Back down we go again.
Munster's trip to South Africa last month - which included a win against the Stormers - was hugely character-building and has sparked this late-season push. However, Munster's incredible away form - unbeaten since October away from Thomond - will be severely tested, as a URC title will require wins in Glasgow, Dublin and Cape Town.
There were emotional scenes on the field in the immediate aftermath. Keith Earls - who many believed was playing his final Munster game today when he was named on the wing yesterday -brought was one of many emotional Munster players when the fulltime whistle blew.
Jack Crowley and Keith Earls after the final whistle❤️ pic.twitter.com/Cxvvszdbnv
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) May 13, 2023
Yes, Leinster were without many of their internationals with a tilt with Ronan O'Gara and La Rochelle looming next Saturday. But also Munster lost four frontline players to HIA in Glasgow last week. Captain Peter O'Mahony could play 50 minutes tonight due to an injury that he suffered in that game, as well.
It's a result that breathes life into the Leinster-Munster rivalry and gives real momentum to the Graham Rowntree project. Munster were daring, committed and clinical when they had to be. The Crowley kick felt borne out of Munster's remarkable history.
Leinster must now face another dose of Munsterness when O'Gara's La Rochelle turn up next weekend. The prospect of another trophyless season has emerged perilously on the horizon.
