Jack Conan: Lads put their heads where you wouldn't put a shovel
Jack Conan said a pumped-up Leinster were determined to give their departing teammates "a special day" at Croke Park after they slayed the Bulls at Croke Park to win the URC Grand Final.
Leinster ended a four-year wait for a trophy with a convicing 32-7 victory in front of just under 47,000 supporters on a soggy afternoon in Dublin.
It was a sweet end to an up-and-down campaign, and a good way for a raft of players to head for the sunset. Jordie Barrett, Cian Healy, Ross Byrne, Rob Russell and Liam Turner have all now played their final game for the province.
"Definitely a bit of relief," Conan said after the final whistle.
"We've a long time coming to actually win something so I'm just delighted for everyone who's put in an incredible amount of work, not just the last few months but the last few years.
"To be able to give the send-off to Church (Healy), to Ross, to Liamo, to Robbo, to Jordie for everything they've done in their time at Leinster, we wanted to make it a special day."
Leinster were clearly on it from the off. In tough conditions, a powerful scrum and impressive intensity ground down Jake White's Bulls who never looked likely to prevail on Irish soil.
"It was one of those moments before we ran out, you look each other in the eye and you just knew lads were ready," Conan added.
"I'm glad we showed up, performed and silenced a few critics, which was nice.
"I think holding them out at half-time, I don't know how many phases it was, it felt like a lot but it probably wasn't as many as that... but just the mental lift that gives you, when you're able to hold them out and they're just going at the line so hard is huge.
"Credit to the lads for putting their heads where you wouldn't put a shovel."
Ryan Baird admitted the scrutiny and expectation around Leinster weighed heavily in the build-up.
Leo Cullen's side had a point to prove on Saturday. Ultimately they got over the line pretty comfortably.
"I felt the pressure," said Baird. "I think a lot of us did, but we kept coming back till we got a win. Moment by moment, inch by inch.
"Every time I saw someone else make a tackle, it gave me energy to go make one myself.
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