"I didn't known a sporting event could mean so much, " O'Gara said. "I'm completely taken aback by it all . . . the occasion . . . I'm almost lost for words."

O'Gara held his nerve from placed balls all afternoon but he was mindful of the fact that his team left themselves with a lot of work to do right from the off.

"We had a terrible start alright and I think there was a bit of nerves there but I think the real message here is that you get out of this game what you put into it.

"Some of us have been around with this team for seven years now and finally we can take home the cup."

Even the jubilation that was unfolding in his home province was in O'Gara's mind thanks to the big screen in the Millennium Stadium.

"At one stage I think I saw a street in Limerick or Cork or somewhere . . . halfway through the game. It's madness."

Scrum-half Peter Stringer praised his teammates moments before his captain lifted the Heineken Cup.

Stringer was named man of the match after a fine performance which typified the attitude of the Munster players throughout the game.

"We waited so long, I can't ask for more than the 100 per cent the guys have given, " he said. "It has been a long time, we've worked hard. It was about honesty from one to 22. We're delighted with the win."

Munster had previously lost twice in the final but Stringer insisted the team were not motivated by their past disappointments.

"It was more about belief for the next year, thinking about what's going on and not what's behind you, " he said.

"I am just thrilled. It seems the whole of Munster are here. They [the fans] have been with us so much over the years and they have travelled with us everywhere."

"As for the try, it was just off the cuff, if it looks like it's on, you just have a go."

Paul O'Connell made way for Mick O'Driscoll after having run his legs into the ground but he commended the strength of the panel. "I was struggling a small bit but it's easy to come off when you have a group of guys like we have. It's a great day."

As the true meaning of the occasion began to sink in, Munster coach Declan Kidney paid tribute to a towering performance from his men.

"A few times these guys have been called the bridesmaids but I think they'll be going on their honeymoon now.

"This win is a huge release of all the tension and I suppose there will be a lot of celebration over the next 48 hours. It's a great sporting occasion and, thankfully, we did our job on the day."