Reds must try again to end Blues jinx
What may have escaped notice, however, is that Munster didn’t manage a single try in any of those games and must go back to April 2009, a 22-5 victory at Thomond Park, for the last occasion when they crossed the Leinster line. Justin Melck (remember him?) and Doug Howlett scored that evening.
In contrast, Leinster managed at least one in each game and the try tally in the five matches stands 9-0 in their favour.
The chain began that fateful day on May 2, 2009, in front of 82,208 people at Croke Park. Munster went in as warm favourites for the Heineken Cup semi-final clash but from the outset it was a status that didn’t sit easily with them.
A hungrier Leinster won 25-9, with tries by Gordon D’Arcy, Luke Fitzgerald and Brian O’Driscoll, a drop goal by Felipe Contepomi and a penalty and two conversions by Jonathan Sexton. All Munster could offer were two penalties by Ronan O’Gara.
It shocked Munster rugby to its very core and they have thirsted for revenge ever since. But that’s a dish which will be served cold now.
On October 3, 2009, they met in the RDS. D’Arcy, O’Driscoll and Shane Horgan struck for Leinster tries, Sexton slotted three penalties and three conversions. 30-0 to Leinster. John Hayes sent off for a stamp on Cian Healy.
It was Leinster’s turn to travel on April 2, 2010, in search of their first win at Thomond Park since 1995. It was a typically intense game in which a Rob Kearney try proved the difference in a narrow 16-15 victory.
“It was right up there with any international in terms of intensity,” said man of the match Jamie Heaslip.
And the brilliant number eight once again earned the award when the sides met in the semi-final on May 15 at the RDS. This time it was a clear-cut 16-6 in Leinster’s favour. Kearney got the game’s only try.
The fifth Leinster win followed on October 2, when the new Aviva Stadium catered for 50,645 spectators. O’Driscoll touched down for the decisive try following a delightful piece of sleight of hand by Sean O’Brien while Isa Nacewa put over a couple of penalties and a conversion. O’Gara kicked three penalties but couldn’t prevent Leinster’s first five-in-a-row since the 1930s.
As usual, the final result is all that will really matter this weekend, although there are so many mouth-watering one-on-one clashes that it will be difficult to concentrate on the game itself.
You have all-Ireland confrontations between O’Gara and Sexton, Peter Stringer and Eoin Reddan, Tony Buckley and Cian Healy, Donncha O’Callaghan and Leo Cullen, Denis Leamy and Jamie Heaslip.
There will also be considerable interest on how Ireland’s Mike Ross fares against Springbok Wian Du Preez and how Munster’s South Sea Islanders Lifeimi Mafi and Sam Tuitupou get on against D’Arcy and O’Driscoll.
Saturday will also be a huge day for several clubs in the final series of Ulster Bank All-Ireland League games. Cork Constitution from Division 1A and Clontarf in Division 1B are already through to the semi-finals in the top grade.
Old Belvedere are also within touching distance and almost certainly the fourth place rests between St Mary’s College and Young Munster.
Mary’s hold a one-point advantage at this stage.
Belvedere are five points clear of Mary’s and the sides meet at Anglesea Road with Munster obviously hoping that Belvo finish the job off. In that event, Munster will squeeze through provided, however, they dispose of Garryowen at Clifford Park.
That in turn promises to be a rousing Limerick derby given that Garryowen must win to ensure their survival in Division 1.
They are level on points but ahead of Shannon on points differential. Shannon in turn will cling on should Garryowen lose without a bonus point and they themselves take something from the visit of Dolphin to Coonagh.
Either Shannon or Garryowen will finish bottom and so face a play-off against the third team in Division 1B, currently Buccaneers, to achieve premier status in next year’s new-look league set-up.
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