Lynagh: ref wrong to bin O’Callaghan
Lynagh blasted: “These were the two best teams in the competition and somebody had to win but I thought Williams’ decision to sin-bin Donncha O’Callaghan was very harsh. It might not have been the turning point of the game but then again it might.”
Lynagh said it was one of the most enthralling games he ever watched: “If the final is like that, we’re in for something very special.
“That was a great game, played very competitively and it was a great advertisement for the game in Ireland, England and the northern hemisphere in general.”
Lynagh believes Munster can eventually get their hands on the Heineken Cup: " “To reach this stage so many times is a huge achievement and I think they should dwell on that rather than their failure to win the trophy. I’m sure they will. They have a very good coach and they really are a very accomplished side.
“I said before the match that the winners of this game would probably win the cup. I don’t believe I should change that view. Munster are so close, so close, to winning this title and I honestly believe they will one of these fine days.
“It matched anything I’ve seen in the Super 10 or 12 and even better. “The competition at the breakdown is something else. People go in there and do their level best to secure possession. That doesn’t happen in the southern hemisphere which, I believe, now needs to be addressed.
“The defence in this game was extraordinary. Munster weren’t helped when they went down to 13 men, even for a short period. My view is that Wasps played the percentages, played the referee and certainly could have been punished much more than they were.
“The referee seemed to be giving out yellow cards easily and Munster, particularly O’Callaghan, can feel hard-done by. Wasps were lucky to only get two.”
Battered and bruised John Kelly, sporting a few stitches under his right eye expressed regret that Munster had lost the plot after racing into a ten points lead.
“The loss of Ronan was a huge blow although Jason had a fine game when he came on. I just thought that Ronan, with all his experience for Ireland and the Lions, would have controlled things. You can never do without a player of his calibre in tight situations like that.”
Kelly is adamant that the world of rugby has not yet seen the last of Munster.
“No matter what you think, no matter about the disappointment, we’ll be back next year to compete as aggressively as we did this season.”
“We have to stick to our goals and refuse to give up. Eventually it will come, Munster will go on and I have great faith in the belief that we will always be in their with a shout.
“The dressing room was sombre enough; you can’t say much to anyone in that state of disappointment but there are still Celtic League games to be played. We will re-group, believe me.”
O’Gara is almost certainly out for the rest of the season after tearing a hamstring: “It was one of those things, something that happened and I didn’t think there was a problem until I went to kick the ball just afterwards. Hopefully we’ll bounce back as we have done so many times in the past.”
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