THE only person to benefit this weekend was Leinster’s incoming coach Joe Schmidt.

The jolly man from Woodville on New Zealand’s north island will leave newly crowned first-time French kingpins Clermont- Auvergne as a champion and arrive at a Leinster club short of silverware thanks to their Heineken Cup semi-final and Magners League final shortcomings.

As Michael Cheika shunned the temptation to turn all “soppy” at his leaving of Leinster, Schmidt finally shed the tag of the tortured as Clermont found their “nirvana” at the eleventh time of asking.

The contrast couldn’t have been starker. The Australian Cheika has built Leinster into a formidable organisation from toe-tohead all season, but we couldn’t convert enough points to put them under pressure.”

The Achilles heel was Leinster’s propensity to spill more ball than British Petroleum has oil in pursuit of improving their position.

“We lost the ball far too much. We ended up playing the majority of the first half in our own half or 40 metres from our try line and that pressure eventually told.

“There are no excuses. This is what he have become, the team that can say ‘we didn’t play well. We’ll take it on the chin. We gotta get better’.

“We know we can do it. But, we didn’t bring our A-Game when we needed to bring it,” he concluded.

Stand-in captain Shane Jennings was disgruntled and clearly angered at what he sensed was the unsolved crime for not playing to the standards demanded.

“It doesn’t feel good. We didn’t play well. If they play a bit and beat us, it can sometimes be easier to accept,” he seethed. “We don’t think we did ourselves justice.

We probably weren’t let. That is credit to them. They deserve their win. “We weren’t in control of the game. We didn’t respect the ball as we should have, especially against the Ospreys because they are too good.

INCONSISTENT

“When you are inconsistent against a good team, you are not going to get sustained pressure on them. “That is what we needed to do. And we didn’t do it.”

Nonetheless, Jennings did pause long enough to consider the journey made from Cheika’s appearance as a raw and relatively unknown coach five years ago.

“We’ve come a long way,” he said. “We did well throughout the year. Guys like Chris Keane and Simon Keogh are moving on.

“Al (Gaffney) is moving away from the Leinster set-up, and Kurt (McQuilkin). CJ (van der Linde) is moving back to South Africa.

“Bernard’s (Jackman) been great. Girv (Dempsey) and Mal (O’Kelly) have got all the attention and, obviously, Cheiks. He has instilled a culture that wasn’t here before. “He deserves a lot of credit. He won’t take the credit. He’ll pass it on to his staff.

He works, probably, harder than everyone else. “It is a good way to show example. He deserves an awful lot of credit. I think Stade are getting a very good coach and a good guy.”

What odds Leinster and Stade Francais for the 2011 Heineken Cup final? Then again, what odds Leinster and Clermont-Auvergne? only to leave it momentarily locked in neutral.

Schmidt, in union with head coach Vern Cotter, had overseen three straight falls at the final fence only to leave Clermont in a state of ecstasy by virtue of their shatteringof Perpignan at Stade de France on Saturday evening.

It is a process of learning, a journey of self-discovery that can only benefit his new employers. The fact that Leinster fell short in the grand final also affords Schmidt room for manoeuvre.

For Cheika, the hurt was apparent on his face as he gave a full and frank summary of how and where Leinster failed to deliver a trophy for the third straight season.

LOOSE

“We left a few too many loose ends for this level of football,” he said. “We are disappointed we didn’t play well enough in a final. In these games, you have to take your opportunities. We had enough opportunities in general, around the field, to build some pressure on the opposition that we didn’t take.

“When we eased that pressure tap off the opposition, they took advantage and took their chances. That is the difference.” The Ospreys were certainly ruthless in exposing Gordon D’Arcy’s inside shoulder for Andrew Bishop’s initial thrust that created

Tommy Bowe’s 16th-minute try and putting Lee Byrne in the right spot to shoot into the right corner for the second. It was all the breathing space the Ospreys required to keep Leinster and the accurate Jonathan Sexton at a safe distance.

“We showed lots of ‘ticker’. We stayed in the game. We weren’t playing well. We tried to get within one score – couldn’t do it. We couldn’t get the try to get us past them,” insisted Cheika.

“They took their opportunities when they came. Early on, we had a fair bit of pressure on them. When we released that pressure, they were able to convert points. “When they released pressure off us, we weren’t able to convert that into try-scoring points. We stayed tough, like we have

- Des Berry

Rob Kearney, a try-scorer in the 16-6 semi final victory over Munster, has now scored 8 tries in 16 appearances so far this season and is named in a backline panel which includes the likes of Gordon D'Arcy, Shane Horgan, Brian O'Driscoll, Eoin Reddan and Jonathan Sexton whose 11 points in that victory takes him to 124 points in the Magners League so far this season.

Bank of Ireland Player of the Year Jamie Heaslip is one of eight Ireland internationals in the forward panel, amongst them Scotland's Nathan Hines.

*Sean O'Brien, though named in the original extended squad has been ruled out of contention for Saturday's final.

Saturday's Magners League Grand Final is expected to be a sell out and no tickets will be available to purchase at the ground. Season Ticket holders are reminded that this is a ticket-only event.

The team is expected to be announced on Friday lunchtime.

Meanwhile, Leinster Rugby can announce that in addition to the previously announced retiring players - Girvan Dempsey, Bernard Jackman and Malcolm O'Kelly - scrum-half Chris Keane and South African prop CJ van der Linde will also be leaving the province at the end of the season. Leinster would like to thank all of the players for their service to the province and wish them well in their future careers. Leinster will be announcing their squad for the 2010/11 season over the coming weeks.

With over 10,500 season ticket holders already signed up for next year, supporters can avail of the 'Early Bird' prices until June 1st. Full details are available HERE

Leinster squad to face the Ospreys...

FORWARDS: John Fogarty, Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Nathan Hines, Trevor Hogan, Shane Jennings, Stephen Keogh, Kevin McLaughlin, Malcolm O'Kelly, Mike Ross, Richardt Strauss, CJ van der Linde, Stan Wright

BACKS: Shaun Berne, Gordon D'Arcy, Girvan Dempsey, Shane Horgan, Rob Kearney, Fergus McFadden, Isa Nacewa, Paul O'Donohoe, Brian O'Driscoll, Eoin Reddan, Jonathan Sexton

REFEREE: Chris White (RFU), ASSISTANT REFEREES: Andy Macpherson (SRU), David Changleng (SRU), 4th OFFICIAL: Leo Colgan (IRFU), 5th OFFICIAL: Dermot Moloney (IRFU), TMO: Jim Yuille (SRU)

We are a great little nation at buying into extremes. At any given moment, we are either the very best or the very worst with little room to operate anywhere in between.

Last Saturday at the RDS, Munster were beaten more convincingly than the 16-6 scoreline suggests. Leinster were outstanding in completing a fourth competitive victory in a row over their great rivals.

That the balance of power has shifted is beyond dispute. Aside from winning, the fact that they held Munster try-less in each of those four games will have pleased Michael Cheika, his players and backroom staff no end. And, irrespective of the outcome in the final against the Ospreys, Cheika will leave some legacy before departing for France.

The best any coach can do with a squad is to leave it in better nick than he found it. Cheika has not alone done that but, in his time in charge, he has inculcated a winning culture built on a dog-tough mental and physical edge. They have assumed the Munster mantle but that does not by any means equal the end of the southern province as a European and Celtic League power ... Far from it.

They lost a match (and with it a title) but losing two semi-finals does not make for a system in decline. The structures are too good for that. So bígí cúramach when writing the obituaries. A Munster team with Jerry Flannery, Paul O'Connell, Denis Leamy and David Wallace in situ is a very different competitive animal entirely. If I did have one wish for change, however, it would be to see Munster handle constructive and objective comment with much greater dignity.

Blinded

In blazing the trail for Irish rugby, some within the organisation have become blinded by that success. They do the province no favours by believing them to be immune from informed analysis. Put simply, Munster don't do criticism well. By contrast, Leinster have taken all the 'ladyboy' jibes etc and channeled that criticism into the area of only meaningful response -- on-field performance.

On Saturday, they were magnificent. I don't think it's stretching it to suggest they won almost every battle. Pick a combined side in the aftermath and there might be some room for discussion on the wing (Lifeimi Mafi), perhaps one centre (Keith Earls) and, as ever, outside-half. Beyond that, Leinster dominated. The platform was laid up front but the Leinster back row, particularly Shane Jennings and Jamie Heaslip, were immense.

I suspect Wallace will work his way back Down Under but don't rule out a Kevin McLaughlin/Jennings/Heaslip back row lining out in at least one of the June matches. Heaslip took the individual gong by a mile but was joined in the leadership stakes by Jennings and the ultra-consistent Brian O'Driscoll. Leadership is about deeds not words but, most of all, it is about visibility when momentum is flowing the other way.

Heaslip's barnstorming second-half runs -- stretching Earls to the limit and almost poleaxing the brave Ronan O'Gara -- made for the icing but the real leadership is the hard yards and momentum gained in defence allied to the tackle count and groundhog turnovers at the breakdown. Here Heaslip was sublime. He is without doubt the Irish skipper in waiting and already in my view the most complete No 8 forward to wear green.

Whenever asked over the years to select my best ever Irish back row, it tripped off the tongue -- John O'Driscoll, Fergus Slattery and Willie Duggan. The chemistry and balance between the three was so good. But when a player comes along with the athleticism of Ken Goodall, the intellect of Anthony Foley, the dynamism of Victor Costello but, most of all, the Lion-heart bravery in adversity of Duggan, then the call in the middle of the all-time Irish back row becomes a no-brainer. There is an honesty and maturity to Heaslip's game that makes him a certain future Irish captain.

If ever a game defined his readiness to lead, this was it. In his team's times of crisis, it was the Leinster No 8 who controlled things with Jennings and O'Driscoll pretty close behind. Mention, too, of Rob Kearney. Uncertainty over full-back selection -- shared with Girvan Dempsey and Isa Nacewa -- has hindered his progress since last summer's Lions tour but signs are of another leader in the making.

As with the Flower of Scotland, the Munster army has been sent home to think again. Of that you can be sure they will. It is NOT the end of an era but a moment of transition.

And I for one do not believe the signing of Jean de Villiers has been a hit. His route-one style, while creating some important tries, has hindered the Munster backline development more than it helped. However, Mafi and Earls have much to offer as a potent midfield force.

Indeed, on the subject of innovation, I doubt you will see a finer creative try than that engineered by Gordon D'Arcy, Jonathan Sexton and O'Driscoll (by way of subtle obstruction) for Saturday's match-defining score. Alan Gaffney take a bow. All told, it made for one of the games of the season.

• Word has reached us that the Westmeath town of Moate will field its first adult rugby team next season. Since its formation six years ago, Midland Warriors RFC has tapped into rugby's growing popularity by fielding underage teams. Now the first batch of young Brian O'Driscoll wannabes are coming to adulthood, and the club will compete in Leinster J3 for the 2010/11 season under head coach Jude Lennon. Interested parties can contact Graham Ross (087-9290196), John Seery (086-1016042), Hugh Flynn (086-2522313) or midlandwarriorsrfc@gmail.com.

- Tony Ward

Irish Independent

There's an almost fin de siècle type vibe around the Leinster camp this fortnight, what with the retirements of Girvan Dempsey and Malcolm O'Kelly, Bernard Jackman's ongoing injury travails and the imminent departure to French shores of Michael Cheika.

At the Bord Gais Energy IRUPA awards in Dublin two nights ago, the wistful air was enhanced by the announcement of an Irish team of the decade, 2000-10.

Clearly, there were contentious calls but one of the quirkiest was the decision to prefer Geordan Murphy ahead of Dempsey, who only moments earlier had been inducted into the Hall of Fame.

However, that couldn't dilute the continuing flow of tributes been directed towards Dempsey in particular, with Lions full-back Rob Kearney declaring that he owed much of his success to the Terenure College man.

"Of course it was frustrating over the years, it's always frustrating when you're on the bench and watching someone like Girvan take your spot," said Kearney at the awards night.

"But in so many ways it has been fantastic. I can 100pc say that because of Girvan's presence around me over the last five or six years that I'm a much better player for it.

"I've learned a huge amount from him. He's a model professional and he's a good mate.

"Being a full-back myself, he was a hero for me growing up and I always looked up to him. I've huge respect for him. I learned a lot from his positioning sense.

"You'll go far to find a better positioned full-back in the game.

"You judge that by the amount of times he catches balls on the full.

"So I've watched that over the years and it's been fantastic to watch him and try to imitate that style."

Completing a 4-0 sequence of successes against Munster would match any gold watch as retirement presents and even Cheika (pictured) managed to smile wryly when it was suggested to him that he may miss Munster.

"I don't coach them, do I?," he joked.

"It's been an enlightening experience for me. Those big derby matches are everything that's good about the game.

"Even the losses. They invoke the same type of emotions because you want to win so much in derby matches.

"I hope I will run into them again some time soon after I leave. It definitely won't be next year (Cheika's new employers, Stade, have failed to qualify for the Heineken Cup).

"But some time in the future because they are a quality outfit.

"You know that you're always going to have to battle to the very end against them because that is what the game is about.

"We all love to talk about great victories, wins tournaments but at the end of the day when Saturday comes along you want to have a good go and no team gives you a better run in than those chaps."

So any assumptions -- the bookies have them alarmingly long odds on favourites -- can be discarded?

"The key issue is to take every encounter on its own basis. If you start thinking like that you'll get hammered.

"Every ruck, every ball is going to be contested fiercely.

"You saw the way they played against Cardiff, they fought for every ball on the ground, contested everything.

"It wasn't pretty but they really showed their character in fighting for every ball.

"If there is one thing that we are well aware of it is we are going to have to be at our most physical if we want to win the game."

- David Kelly

Irish Independent

Colleague Hugh Farrelly summed up Girvan Dempsey's outstanding contribution to Irish rugby most eloquently in these pages yesterday. I echo every sentiment expressed.

To describe the Leinster full-back as 'safe' sells him way short. He has always been so much more than that. His tactical awareness and ability to decipher opposition kicking was without peer.

His ability to read the kick and that blistering pace to cover ground and be on the end without the ball bouncing was phenomenal ... bordering on psychic.

I believe he had more to offer in attack, but, in terms of the most complete footballing full-back to fill the last line of defence for Ireland since Hugo McNeill, Dempsey was it.

The timing of his retirement alongside that of Mike Catt is amazing. Two consummate professionals stepping down together and, while I cannot vouch for Catt , I can say without fear of contradiction that the proud 'Nure man is one of the nicest and most unassuming sportsmen it has been my privilege to meet anywhere.

Enjoy your retirement Girvan, you have served Terenure, Leinster and Ireland with great consistency and extraordinary dignity.

Irish Independent

In a week littered with injury news, there was some welcome relief yesterday for Declan Kidney with the return of Sean O'Brien to the Leinster squad.

The return of the abrasive back-row for the province's final league game of the season is a welcome boost for Michael Cheika ahead of the home semi-final in a week's time.

The Tullow native's recovery couldn't have come at a better time for Ireland after Stephen Ferris fractured his cheekbone in training earlier in the week, almost certainly ruling him out of the summer tour.

O'Brien comes into a Leinster squad looking to arrest the recent slide that has seen them lose their last two league games -- albeit after securing qualification for the play-offs -- and exit the Heineken Cup at the hands of Toulouse.

Having missed that match, Jonathan Sexton completed a full training session yesterday and is in the squad alongside Girvan Dempsey, who yesterday announced he is to retire at the end of the season.

Shane Jennings is being monitored after rolling his ankle against Toulouse, while youngsters Rhys Ruddock and Dominic Ryan are named amongst the forwards ahead of tomorrow's team announcement.

Assistant coach Alan Gaffney said the side are keen to bounce back from last week's disappointment ahead of the play-offs.

"There's still a bit to play for even though there was disappointment at the weekend," he said. "We know that we've got to finish the season strongly and there's a real determination to do so.

"We have had a good season so far in both competitions and to not go on now would be a disappointment. Toulouse played very well, but having watched the game since Saturday I don't think that we we're too far away ourselves.

execution

"The better side did win on the day and I feel that our execution could have been better. Toulouse are an experienced side with a lot of quality on their squad from one to 23."

Munster go into the final round of games with a slim chance of a home semi-final against Cardiff Blues, but also the very real prospect of not reaching the final four at all.

Failure to gain at least a losing bonus point will see them exit the competition and Tony McGahan's men must still do without Paul O'Connell, who remains out with his troublesome groin injury.

Doug Howlett and Ian Dowling also miss out, having been late withdrawals from the Heineken Cup semi-final team to face Biarritz. Danny Barnes is added to the backs, while Dave Ryan and Billy Holland come into the forwards for the crucial clash against the Challenge Cup finalists.

Michael Bradley will hope to sign off on his career as Connacht coach by guiding the westerners to their first victory at Ravenhill in four decades.

Bradley will end his seven-year stint at the Belfast venue having missed out on an elusive Heineken Cup place with last week's heartbreaking defeat to Toulon.

Michael Swift is out with a foot injury, while centre Keith Matthews, flanker Ray Ofisa and young winger Tiernan O'Halloran are also on the sideline.

A 58-10 hammering at the hands of the Scarlets combined with Ulster's bonus-point win at Edinburgh means the all-or-nothing nature of the final game is gone. But Connacht will still hope to give the Corkman a good send-off before ushering in a new era under assistant Eric Elwood.

"We still see Ulster as a yardstick to measure our season against," Bradley said. "Even though there's nothing to play for in terms of qualifying for the Heineken Cup next season, our focus remains on improving our away form and getting a result in Ravenhill.

"Ulster played very well when they came to the Sportsground back in September."

Squads in Factfile

- Ruaidhri O'Connor

Irish Independent

Girvan spoke eloquently to an audience of 300 Terenure College Rugby Club members and friends including former Leinster and international team-mates; Simon Best (speaker), Terenure team-mates Niall Hogan (speaker), Eric Miller, Leinster captain Leo Cullen, Malcolm O'Kelly, Gordon D'Arcy, Shane Byrne and Reggie Corrigan.

The attached shot shows Girvan receiving a portrait from Terenure College RFC President, Tim Duggan Jnr. The Artist was James Hanley, a Terenure College past pupil, who has recently also completed commissions of President Mary McAleese and former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.