Munster v Leinster reaction:THE LEINSTER defence coach, Kurt McQuilken, received some well-earned praise from prop Cian Healy. The former Leinster player McQuilken has instilled a purposeful, organisational quality into the team. This weekend it paid off in spades. Metaphorical votives were laid at his feet.
“We’ve prided ourselves on the defence all season and we’ve got a very small number of tries scored against us,” said Healy. “Credit to Kurt McQuilken. He’s done a lot of work with us and it’s paid off today.
“We have been constantly doing sessions. Before every session there are different sessions with the defence covered. He takes us for things like videos and one-on-one stuff that really helps out. Yes, it was very tough. We got it together well, though, got on top of the pack. We were pretty happy.”
What Leinster appear to have achieved over recent months and years is entrance into the squad ethic and now the ability to co-ordinate all of that energy. Munster have had it for years, but in Dublin it’s a newly-found acquisition. In Healy’s department, the idea of sacrifice is a given. When everyone plays that way the effect is cumulative and Leinster can turn out like on Saturday with bodies queuing up to go into contact.
“It’s incredible. Can’t really describe it. More than I ever dreamed of. Just want to play bigger and better with a team that is brilliant,” cooed the youngster of the frontrow. “As it always does going in as the underdogs, it fired us up nicely.
“We didn’t let the occasion get to us. We played for the moment, which really helped us. The close -knit squad that we’ve become, really did help.
“There have been other great performances. But a semi-final when the pressure to do it is on, yeah, I’d say that was my best experience anyway. We’re fully aware that we still want to get second in the Magners League and we still want to win this cup.”
Healy got a 10-minute rest during the match, a lazy body-check ensuring a visit to the sin bin. After that he was one of the cornerstones of an outstanding pack. “Pulled out too late,” he says with a shrug. “Not intentional.”
One of the players who are not involved in the international scene, Healy was asked if the unsung players’ contribution might brighten their hopes of moving up the ladder. But this weekend belonged to the province solely.
“Here in Leinster we’re not fighting to get international positions, we’re fighting for Leinster, for what we can achieve and if honours come from that they come from that,” said Healy.
“The lads know what they have to do to train and play well and that’s what we’re trying to do at the moment. We need a bigger and better performance. It’s the Heineken Cup final. It doesn’t matter who it’s against, it’s going to be an incredible game and tough. I think we’ve got a lot of work to do ahead of that.”
