While the build-up was more low-key than had Munster been involved, Leinster’s Heineken Cup final victory over Leicester Tigers at Murrayfield on Saturday – more a game of chess than the cut and thrust of the recent ‘All-Ireland’ semi – has received wall-to-wall coverage since, with Brian O’Driscoll, the team’s de facto leader, central to same, ubiquitous glamorous fiancée in tow.
I don’t begrudge Amy Huberman’s beau one bit of his success. It was only a few years ago that he was mulling over the prospect of playing in France. It’s to his and the IRFU’s credit he stayed. And the way this year has panned out so far he definitely made the right call in sticking with Ireland and the hugely successful provincial experiment (aided by additions such as the awesome Rocky Elsom.)
O’Driscoll said after Johnny Sexton’s boot did just enough to beat Geordan Murphy’s men that he’d been “carrying a shoulder” going into the game. Quite how you play a European Cup final with any sort of dodgy joint is beyond me, but ‘BOD’ has proved often enough that he’s brave as a Lion. No wonder Willie John McBride wanted him to lead the ‘pack’ in South Africa.
