Boys in Blue dream of Bilbao party and an all-Irish final
LEINSTER legend Cian Healy had freely admitted that watching their rivals dominate Europe had been a “brutal” experience.
But yesterday, in a packed Aviva, the Boys in Blue handed a physical lesson to the back-to-back defending champions Saracens.
The dream of a sundrenched all-Irish final in Bilbao this May is alive and well as both Leinster and Munster booked their places in the Champions Cup semis.
And the capital was well and truly painted blue last night as the home team completed another memorable victory over their English rivals.
But despite the fierce competition between the two sides, love was in the air as Leinster fans mingled happily with the London invaders.
The pubs around the stadium were packed as supporters celebrated their victory and the Sarries were made feel at home.
Caitriona Quill (24), from Portmarnock, Co Dublin, went to the game with her boyfriend Chris Ward (23), from Bettystown, Co Meath.
As a scientist, she of course had chemistry with her beau – but Caitriona also admitted to a crush on Johnny Sexton.
“We came here to see Leinster win – but, yes, I do have a tiny crush on Johnny,” she laughed.
Chris took this on the chin, saying: “Of course we’re happy to be here for Johnny and Leinster because we are going to the semifinals.”
Brian Williams, from Castleknock, attended the game with wife Mary and held his young son Matthew aloft triumphantly.
He said: “I knew Leinster were going to win. It was just amazing. There is nowhere else we’d rather be today. It’s a great family atmosphere and we’re very happy.”
Colm O’Brien (20), from Blackrock, Dublin, took his sisters Dervila (16) and Saoirse (14) to the match, along with their friends Lucy Ryan (16) and Emma Forbes (17).
“We were hoping for a massive victory, so we’re very happy,” Dervila said.
Colm added: “It was a great day and it certainly was a huge victory for us. I don’t mind being the big brother today.”
The atmosphere was electric within the Aviva as the Blues pulverised Saracens in a 30-19 victory.
The Leinster Supporters account tweeted seconds after the result came in: “Woohoo! Semi-finals here we come.”
But perhaps the biggest win of the day was just how united the fans from both sides were before and after the match.
Sporting a bright-red wig, Anne Jane Brien, a die-hard Saracens fan, attended the match with her nieces from Sandymount.
The youngsters, Katie Bowen, Alison Moylan and Aimee Brien, were selling cakes from a stall for a children’s enterprise initiative.
“Obviously, I’m a Saracens fan,” Anne Jane said, as she taught the 11-year-old girls a Sarries chant despite them wearing their Leinster colours while doing their best not to knock their aunt’s attempts at uniting both teams. Both sets of fans smiled as they snapped up cupcakes and revelled in the good humour.
Roger Gregory travelled from Newbury, England, with his wife Liz for the game and despite their loss, admitted they were “loving Dublin”.