European Cup rugby - Team spirit the key to Munster win

WHAT a team. What spirit. What supporters.

In classic Munster style, it was a case of an unstoppable sea of red, flowing from the Lough in Cork and the Shannon in Limerick, overwhelming the blue of Leinster at Lansdowne Road.

It was as comprehensive a victory ever achieved by the amazing rugby players of Munster who, against all the odds, have secured a coveted place in the final of the Heineken European Cup.

The sheer passion of their devoted supporters, who turned Lansdowne into Thomond Park, was mirrored only by the indomitable will to win of this iconic team.

Tearing up the form book, and calling upon fathomless reserves of tradition and experience, wave after wave of the men in red denied Leinster possession.

Not even the pyrotechnic backs with the dancing feet of Leinster could play without the ball.

It may be invidious to single out individuals, but Paul O'Connell was a towering figure from start to finish and the brilliance of Ronan O'Gara settled the argument.

But above all, it was an outstanding team display which has swept Munster to Cardiff for another special day and the mouth-watering prospect of finally winning the holy grail of provincial rugby.