Munster beat Toulouse 16-13 in gripping Heineken final

Munster won the Heineken Cup for the second time when they outlasted triple champions Toulouse 16-13 in a fearsomely competitive final at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium today.

The Irish province, champions in 2006 after twice losing in previous finals, recovered from a slow start to lead 10-6 at halftime with a Denis Leamy try.

Munster then stretched their advantage to 13-6 through the boot of Ronan O’Gara soon after.

Toulouse hit back with a try by winger Yves Donguy to level the match at 13-13 and set up a thunderous final 30 minutes.

Munster, though, kept their heads and edged clear with another O’Gara penalty and, roared on by their incredible supporters, were able to keep enough control to triumph.