Leinster thrashed holder Munster 25-6 to reach its first Heineken Cup final in an intensely fought all-Irish semifinal at Croke Park on Saturday. Michael Cheika's men brilliantly made amends for their 30-6 humiliation in the corresponding fixture three years ago, this time prevailing in front of a world record attendance for a club encounter of 82,208. Tries from Ireland's Gordon D'Arcy, Luke Fitzgerald and Brian O'Driscoll settled the contest featuring a healthy selection of Irish grand slam winning team mates and future British and Irish Lions room mates. Leinster, which reached a European decider at the fourth time of asking, faces the winner of Sunday's second semifinal between Cardiff and twice champion Leicester in Edinburgh on May 23. Leinster, which could have fallen an early try behind before surprise Lions selection Keith Earls was stopped meters from the line, nudged ahead thanks to a 16th minute drop goal from flyhalf Felipe Contepomi. The impetus seemed to swing instantly when prop Cian Healey was sinbinned for a crude block on Munster wing Ian Dowling and Ireland number 10 Ronan O'Gara evened things up from the resulting penalty. The champion of 2006 and 2008 failed to use the numerical advantage and fell behind again after Contepomi brilliantly sent through Australia flanker Rocky Elsom and the subsequent pressure led to a second Leinster penalty. Contepomi, injured in the move, was forced off the field and his replacement Johnny Sexton kicked his side 6-3 in front. Leinster were five points further clear within five minutes and it was clear who would win. “To see how despondent the players are about coming up short in a competition that's so dear to Munster, it will hurt for a long, long time,” Muster coach Tony McGahan said.
