The palpable sense of elation in the Leinster camp immediately after the full-time whistle, which signalled they were the inaugural Celtic League champions, may have surprised some observers.

But this wasn't just about winning a trophy, or even obtaining bragging rights against the team they fear and respect the most, this was about Leinster finally coming of age and proving that they aren't chokers. "It was just a dragon we had to kill," said Matt Williams afterwards.

"We didn't have a choice." For 50 or 60 minutes Williams admitted that Munster were the better team and that Leinster were very nervous. "That's the inexperience of never having been in a final. Half-time couldn't come quick enough but we got in. Willie and Roly and Al highlighted technical things we had to get right, and then we said everyone in Ireland, people in the whole country think we're not going to be up to it. So we either step up and prove them wrong, or they're right. The only people can do it are us, so let's be ourselves. Let's run at them."

And what made it special for Leinster was that they beat the opposition that matters to them most, not only in Ireland but in the rest of Europe. They beat the standard-bearers.

"We had to prove ourselves against Munster and that's credit to them, because (beating) another team wouldn't have meant the same. They are the champions, they played like champions today and we had to step up to the plate. We wanted to prove it against a great team," Williams said.

Victor Costello concurred when reflecting on what was "definitely" his best day in a Leinster jersey over the last eight years. "To us they (Munster) are the best team in Europe, whether they have the European Cup or not.

"In order to win a competition, be it the Celtic League or the European Cup, you have to beat Munster, so it was a huge thing for us today to beat them. Apart from being the old enemy we respect them as well."

"This is a massive day for Leinster," commented one of their assistant coaches Willie Anderson. "I think they've turned a corner. We had 14 men, we had to dig deep and we did. That's a major psychological situation to have; great steel and great determination.

"We were on the rack for parts of the game but once we started to move the ball, particularly in the last 20, I thought they were outstanding. And this type of rugby is now synonymous with Leinster, which is fantastic."

Declan Kidney wasn't inclined to cite injuries or bemoan any Munster failings, merely to give credit to Leinster. "A lot of people will talk about the failure of not having won a final. I would look upon it as the achievement of getting there."

Ronan O'Gara could scarcely conceal his disappointment either. "It was a bizarre enough kind of match. For 60 minutes everything was going according to plan. I suppose we lacked the killer punch and that was crucial.

"We had 15-9, playing with the aid of the elements, that's the most disappointing thing. Fair play to Leinster. They scored two break-out tries and they showed their quality, and we can't begrudge them that."