Defeat accepted with good grace

Munster's championing of Irish rugby on the European stage this season has been exemplary, a marvellous pilgrimage. It is therefore hardly surprising, that, despite the acute disappointment of a one-point defeat on Saturday, their final press conference was hall-marked by a generosity of spirit.

The grace with which they accepted a gut-wrenching reverse simply embellished their stock in a memorable season. It was manifest in the words of coach Declan Kidney. "It's important that if you give something your best shot, that you accept the result at the end of it.

"You should feel very proud. We have given it our best shot throughout the season. We knew that it would take a good side to beat us and Northampton are a very good side. There is no disgrace in that. It's to hold yourself up and to acknowledge this that is important. In the same way that you accept victory you must accept defeat."

Picking through the carcass of a defeat inevitably focuses on the ifs and buts and for Munster's inspirational captain Mick Galwey, that was his sin-binning by referee Joel Dume in the final quarter of the match. "It came at a crucial time of the match. They didn't score which was a relief to me personally. I was disappointed to get a yellow card but the referee made the decision and you have to live with these things."

Similarly, in a game decided by a single point, scoring opportunities are going to be revisited. Outhalf Ronan O'Gara's penalty attempt three minutes from the end of normal time offered a chance of salvation, albeit he had to negotiate a swirling wind and the kick was not far from the touchline. The Munster contingent gathered near the tunnel, to a man, thought it was going over.

That it drifted narrowly wide simply illustrates the vagaries of fate. The Cork Constitution outhalf, who had twice kicked his province to victory over Saracens, now experienced the flipside. There could be no accusing fingers. As Galwey pointed out: "It's obviously very disappointing for everybody and no one can point the finger at Ronan, he's got us this far all year.

"We're not going to look and say Ronan missed the last penalty. We just felt that as a team we didn't perform on the day. That's been our attitude all year, we play as a team and no one can blame anyone else."

So what of the pressure, the expectation and mantle of favouritism which has scuppered more than one Irish team? Galwey dismissed the idea that Munster had underestimated the opposition.

"We weren't believing all we were hearing or reading. There was a big expectation but, as for the favourites' tag, we knew we were playing over here at Twickenham where the Irish haven't had great success. We felt personally that we were underdogs because we have a lot of respect for Northampton and we knew they were going to come good today.

"They have had a tough season, now they have got their reward. People were writing off Northampton but never at any stage did the team think that way." Satisfied at the interval he outlined his thoughts on going out after the interval. "I felt we had to play the game in their half in the second half and take our chances. It didn't work out that way. They came back at us very strongly, you know they carried ball and they defended very well. They did not allow us dictate the game."

Kidney cited Northampton's victory over Newcastle in a league match which guaranteed their qualification for Europe next season as a significant factor in the English side's mental approach. "Relief of having qualified for Europe last Sunday took a major burden off their shoulders and allowed them to express themselves that bit freer today.

"In a one-point game like that you are talking about the narrowest of margins between success and defeat. They are an exceptionally physically strong side and they play good rugby."

So what legacy has Twickenham left Munster? Galwey ventured: "We'll be remembered for the team that didn't win the European Cup Final. We have had a lot of hard challenges, a lot of close matches and we have come out on top. This time luck wasn't with us on the day; this time we have nothing to show for it unfortunately. That's something we have to be professional about and live with it.

"The crowd was fantastic. At the very end when we gathered in a circle, we were almost numb at that stage. We said we would go over to the crowd. We almost went over apologising for not winning the game. They were on their feet and gave the team a great lift. They probably feel a little bit sorry for us as we feel for them."

Kidney then interjected offering his own personal tribute to the team. "I would just like to add that for all of us that were involved in the team I would like to thank them (the team) publicly for everything they have given us this season because I know the work they put in since last August and I think it would be remiss of me if I didn't mention it here today. So I would like to thank Michael and all the players."

It was an appropriate way to finish a remarkable season.