Leinster's potentially seismic victory over Munster to win the Celtic League last Saturday will also now be remembered for them having won and lost the trophy in the same day.
Forever more it will all be part of Leinster folklore, Saturday December 15th being the day they both won and lost the Celtic League trophy. Must have been a good night, eh? Nudge, nudge; wink, wink. Leinster still have the base, and the lid, it's just the actual cup part that's been nicked.
The trophy itself had been made in Cheshire in 1928, and had been purchased from Weir's in Grafton Street by the IRFU on behalf of the Celtic League Committee. Fortunately, it had been insured.
It had been taken from Lansdowne Road up to the Old Belvedere clubhouse in Anglesea Road where the squad and relatives and friends held a customary post-match party, before being brought to Kielys pub in Donnybrook as the party expanded to incorporate supporters. Having been passed around Kielys, Leinster's spiritual home, it was last seen around 11pm or midnight, half full of a one-off concoction incorporating various ingredients.
"Then it vanished. It appears to have been stolen," admitted the Leinster coach Matt Williams. The gardai in Donnybrook had advised them that the Cup would probably be returned within a day or two by a slightly embarrassed supporter. "The fact that it hasn't shown up in five days is quite sad," said Williams.
"If whoever it is wants to return it and leave it in some hotel lobby to be collected by yours truly, then so be it," said the Leinster PRO Tom McCormack (tel: 086 2454215). The Sinbin in Limerick? Either that or they'll have to go and win the European Cup now.
