Bernard Jackman’s commentary encapsulates the exhilaration that comes from participating in a game at Croke Park, an experience that might not have been imagined by young rugby players. Remembering his 2009 performance at the Heineken Cup semi-final, where Leinster took on Munster, he likened the players’ eagerness to leave the dressing room, a sentiment expressed to viewers of RTÉ, as reminiscent of livestock eager to graze in summer pastures.
Despite this energetic start, Jacqui Hurley noted that a portion of the 82,300-strong audience were delayed in leaving their chosen establishments, possibly due to a few too many beverages, causing a delay of 10 minutes for the kick-off, much to the amusement of the rugby crowd. Jacqui shared the commentary suite with Fiona Coghlan, Jamie Heaslip and Donal Lenihan, who all felt confident in Leinster’s victory. However, they cautioned against discounting the Northampton team guided by the experienced Courtney Lawes.
Lawes, whose hurling abilities caught everyone’s attention at Croke Park a few days earlier, even led Donal to joke about recruiting him for Cork. But it was Northampton’s youthful vigour that Leinster had to be mindful of. Donal was awestruck by the apparant youthfulness of many players, comically suggesting giving player Fin Smith a pack of candy.
As it turned out, anxiety was unnecessary. James Lowe scored two tries within the first 15 minutes, while Jamison Gibson-Park engineered the match with grace. Donal described Northampton as “rabbits in the headlights”, with Leinster leading 15-3 at half-time The next step, according to the panel, was for Leinster to consolidate the lead and secure victory, as Fiona and Bernard Megaphorically stated, it was time for Leinster to “put their foot on their throat” and “hammer the lid on the coffin”.
The second half was just three minutes in when Northampton RIP found themselves on the back foot, with Lowe nailing his hat trick. It echoed the previous week’s match at Croke Park where Offaly, for lack of a better term, were pummelled by the boys in blue, resulting in a crushing 20-point defeat.
However, a lifeline eerily appeared for Northampton RIP. They got a sense of renewed vigour, rejuvenation even, scoring two tries and narrowing the point difference with their opponents to just three. Donal was left speechless, pondering the improbable scene unfolding before his eyes. “Where did this sudden shift come from,” he questioned Hugh Cahill, who too was at a loss for words.
At this juncture, Leinster supporters could have done with a stiff pick-me-up, such was the tension in the crucial final minutes of the match — it felt like an eternity of anxiety and upheaval. The ordeal came to a conclusion with a pivotal Jack Conan turnover.
Judging by the shell-shocked demeanours of the Leinster fans, it seemed recovery would require a considerable amount of time. The match analysts were equally stunned, struggling to articulate their thoughts. Jamie shared his concern about the team’s chances against Toulouse. To which the Harlequins might have responded with a sarcastic greeting.
Caelan Doris seemed visibly relieved when he chatted with Clare MacNamara following the close call. He reflected on his time in his home county Mayo’s Croke Park, while Jacqui expressed her concern about a potential ‘curse’ following him. Leo Cullen acknowledged the tense nature of the encounter but was quick to turn his attention to their forthcoming URC match against Ospreys. And yet, one can assume that he will occasionally ruminate about the summer green of Spurs’s stadium in the following weeks.