How Leinster's seven-year Champions Cup itch has intensified

The European dream ended once more in Dublin on Saturday. 

FINAL STOP: Cian Healy of Leinster walks onto the pitch before the Investec Champions Cup semi-final match against Northampton Saints at the Aviva Stadium. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Leinster’s wait for a fifth star will stretch now to at least eight years after Saturday’s Champions Cup semi-final defeat to Northampton Saints in Dublin. That’s four lost deciders, two semis and a quarter-final exit since beating Racing 92 in Bilbao in 2018.

The Boston Red Sox endured an 86-year 'Curse of the Bambino', Mayo have spent decades trying and failing to get over the line in the football All-Ireland, and England's footballers are now onto 59 years of hurt.