Edinburgh recovers after blue velvet invasion

SINGING the blues never sounded so good.

Edinburgh came alive alive-o at the weekend as thousands of Leinster fans celebrated the province being crowned the champions of Europe after a close victory over Leicester at Murrayfield.

The city was submerged in a sea of blue as wave after wave of Leinster supporters showed they could rival the recent, all-conquering exploits of Munster’s Red Army in Cardiff.

The picturesque Scottish capital was laid siege by up to 40,000 Leinster fans – twice the original estimate – who made the trip to Edinburgh to ensure the 16th man played its role in cheering their team to victory in a nail-biting finish.

Outnumbering the Leicester supporters by a ratio of at least four-to-one, it was effectively a home game for Leinster, although the team almost seemed to slip back into their old failings of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory in the last quarter of the match.

About 4,000 Munster fans were also present among the near-capacity attendance of 66,523, although they probably experienced a few mixed emotions by balancing the patriotic celebrations of another great Irish victory with seeing their main provincial rivals cementing the bragging rights for another 12 months.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen was among the dignitaries to witness the historic win, although Fianna Fáil MEP, Eoin Ryan will feel even more victorious with his decision to shamelessly bring a big election hoarding to Scotland.

None of the Leinster team, fortunately for Ryan, seem interested in running for political office as they would see off all opposition in the popularity stakes given how Leo Cullen and his men added another glorious chapter to the current sporting year.

The new poster boy is youthful outhalf, Jonathan Sexton, whose massive boot proved the crucial difference between the teams including a wonderfully ambitious drop goal from the half-way line – all the more impressive as it seemed against the wind.

Sexton’s penalty in the 68th minute, which ultimately provided the winning score, was less elegant – a seemingly laboured, misguided effort which miraculously edged over the crossbar. A poor kick but a great golf shot.

Although Brian O’Driscoll had a relatively quiet game by his own high standards, the match was a fitting bookend to a memorable season in the twilight of his career, A beaming BOD sought out his fiancée – actress, Amy Huberman – in the crowd on the team’s lap of honour, although his baby niece seemed as enthused as a Leicester centre in getting up close and personal with him when O’Driscoll lifted her in his arms.

One enterprising Leinster supporter had the prescience to predict Rocky Elsom’s man of the match-winning performance by dressing up as the fictitious film hero of the same name – complete with boxing gloves, dressing gown and shorts in the design of the Stars and Stripes.

Elsom himself epitomised his cinematic namesake as his nose was still pumping blood almost 30 minutes after the final whistle.

After the game, thousands of supporters stayed several hours in the bars around Murrayfield. Former Leinster warhorses, Reggie Corrigan and Shane Byrne, basked in the glory of the occasion as fans posed for pictures with the veteran front rows.

Later, every bar and club between Murrayfield and Edinburgh’s historic Old Town was crowded with Leinster fans as they toasted what has turned out to be a golden age for Irish rugby with the title of Six Nations, Magners League and Heineken Cup champions now all resting in Irish hands.