Munster won their second European Cup title in three seasons with a nail-biting 16-13 triumph over Toulouse in the final at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday.
Denis Leamy's first half try was supported by 11 points from the ice-cool Ronan O'Gara as head coach Declan Kidney was handed the perfect send-off.
Kidney masterminded another European crown but he now leaves Munster to take on the Ireland national team job.
Winger Yves Donguy gave Toulouse a lifeline with his second half score but O'Gara clinched victory with his third penalty with 15 minutes remaining.
Toulouse went in search of their fourth European Cup title while Munster returned to the scene of their 2006 triumph.
The Irish province are the only side to have reached the knock-out stages in the past decade and they showed everyone just why with a rugged display towards victory.
The final pumped $41 million into Cardiff and a large proportion of that income came from the Irishmen who invaded the Welsh capital to say a fond farewell to Kidney.
Munster had tasted both joy and despair at the Millennium Stadium on their previous two visits.
Kidney's men snatched victory for their first European Cup title against Biarritz but also suffered heartbreak to Leicester in 2002.
And Kidney's last stand came against legendary Toulouse coach Guy Noves who was present when the French outfit won their first title in Cardiff back in 1996.
But this time he was without joint leading try scorer Vincent Clerc through injury.
Captains Febian Pelous and Paul O'Connell led their sides into a cauldron of noise at the Millennium Stadium.
Toulouse had the first opportunity to open the scoring but Jean-Baptiste Elissalde pulled his fourth minute penalty attempt wide.
However, Elissalde coolly slotted home two minutes later to hand Toulouse the lead.
French centre Yannick Jauzion beat Munster full-back Denis Hurley to the high ball and Elissalde made no mistake from close range.
It was one-way traffic from Toulouse who continued to pile on the pressure in the opening quarter but Munster remained just three points adrift thanks to their committed defence.
And in the Irishmen's first attack on the half hour mark, Hurley was stopped just shy of the try-line following Doug Howletts mazy run.
Munster were gathering momentum and No.8 Leamy was denied by video referee Derek Bevan after he dropped the ball with the line at his mercy.
But after a series of close-range drives, Leamy powered over for the first try of a compelling encounter.
O'Gara extended the lead with the conversion and then a penalty to nudge Munster seven points clear.
Kidney's men were handed a boost when Pelous was yellow-carded for kneeing Alan Quinlan in the back in the 50th minute.
O'Gara kicked another penalty but Toulouse hit back when a moment of genius from Cedric Heymans brought the three-times champions back in the contest.
Yves Donguy added the finishing touch after Heymans's delightful chip and chase released Jauzion who beat O'Gara to the chase.
Elissalde converted to tie the scores before O'Gara booted his third decisive penalty to put Munster back in front with 15 minutes remaining.
AFP
