Joy and Sorrow at Millenium Stadium Cardiff

What a week-end. On Saturday we had the long awaited Munster victory in theHeiniken Cup Final played out in the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff. On Sunday in the same Stadium, Leeds played Watford in the play-off final for the last place in the premiership. After all my patience - they lost - not only did they lose but they were played off the pitch. Watford won 3-0. I don't think Watford will last more than a season in the premiership, maybe that's sour grapes - but call it a prediction. So Leeds have to start all over again next year. This year will have done them some good - the lesson is: don't wait for the play-offs you have to come first or second - last year we got within 4 points of Sheffield - but let them get away. The play-offs are a lottery. Its 2 cup matches and a great spectacle. The fans get a great day out - but its a sustained league performance and Premiership football that we need, not a day out in Millemium Stadium (or Wembley - if it is ever completed)

O'Connell Steet in Limerick

What a day for Munster - finally Victory in the Heineken Cup.

Watching04 Originally uploaded by _CitizenKane_.

Biarritz Olympique 19-23 Munster Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Att: 74,534 Saturday 20th May 2006, 15:00.

For those who couldn't go - O'Connell Street in Limerick had a big screen and thousands of people. Sereli Bobo had given Biarritz the perfect start with a converted try after two minutes. Seven down. But in the seventh minute we had a penalty from Ronan O'Gara and in teh seventeenth minute a try from Trevor Halstead converted by RoG. 5 minutes later Munster were penalised in the ruck and no mistake from Yachvili, and were were back to 10 all. There followed some strong Biarritz pressure but the Munster defence held. Payne eventually clears the ball for Munster, and with Munster in possession - the referee calls the defence offside. O'Gara kicks for the corner - but it's a poor kick and the throw is taken from the 22.

Then comes the moment of magic. Stringer saw opposite number Yachvili out of position and left Serge Betsen grasping air as he rounded the blindside of the scrum untouched to score. O’Gara’s conversion put Munster 17-10 ahead at half time. A penalty early in the second half settles Munster.

However Yachvili gets 3 penalty opportunities. He converts each - as you would expect. With ten minutes left its 20 - 19 to Munster. Both sides look nervous. But Biarritz makes the mistake and Munster have a penalty. Ronan kicks and its 23-19. The last 3 minutes see Biarritz pressure - but in the end Ronan O’Gara kicks the ball out of play and the Millenium Stadium and O'Connell Street erupts... Ronan has had kicked a perfect five out five to clinch an historic win.

Heartbreaking defeats in the finals of 2000 and 2002 had upped the stakes for Munster but it was a case of third time lucky after producing the performance of a lifetime.

Promotion in Sight Again

After a disappointing 1-1 draw at Elland Road on Friday, Leeds beat Preston 0-2 away from home to get into the play-off final. The opposition will probably be Watford who are 3-0 after the first leg against Crystal Palace. Watford play Palace at home to-night.

Leeds and the Promotion Play-offs

After losing 2-0 away to Preston in the final match of the championship, Leeds now have to play Preston twice this week-end to get into the play-off final. To-morrow night Leeds are at home in Elland Road and on Monday they are away. Preston have been in the play-offs seven times now and have never made it - lets hope it stays that way! Full Championship Table.