A poor season book-ends a memorable run.
Seven major trophies in seven seasons from players that have been the bulk of a highly successful Ireland squad. Leinster supporters never had it so good.
In 2007, Leinster finished third in the Celtic League and were drop-kicked out of the Heineken Cup at the quarter-final stage, thanks to a 35-13 walloping from Wasps.
Michael Cheika had a job on his hands but, belligerent soul that he is, was convinced of his methods. A league and Heineken Cup win backed up the justification before he was lured to Stade Francais.
Joe Schmidt took over and improved on a winning product. Nonetheless, the New Zealander left behind a squad shorn of Johnny Sexton and Isa Nacewa and with Brian O’Driscoll just about convinced by the “one more year” chants.
In 2013/14, Leinster wilted in Europe but retained their league title.
This season, the wheels came off.
As it stands, September 2007 to May 2014 may never be replicated as a golden run.
Benetton Treviso are Leinster’s opponents, this Friday at the RDS. The best result they can manage from an underwhelming season is fifth. At worst, they could finish seventh. It would still be enough to secure a Champions Cup place.
Leinster are without Luke Fitzgerald, Sean Cronin, Kane Douglas, Fergus McFadden and Marty Moore for the game. Given the current weather funk, it will probably be raining, or threatening to.
The lowest attendance Leinster had all season was 12,540, as they beat Cardiff Blues. An effective dead rubber, without a number of recognisable faces, against tepid Italian opposition may challenge that attendance low.
Friday’s match, however, Leinster supporters should use Friday’s final home game of the season as an opportunity to thank the club for the memories.
As recently as three years ago, Leinster were proclaimed as Europe’s greatest ever side. That title has been passed to Toulon now – a team that operate with a wage bill that dwarves Leinster’s – but Matt O’Connor’s side were two missed drop goals away from knocking them off their lofty perch.
Had Rob Kearney or Jimmy Gopperth nailed their kicks, it would not have masked the team’s current deficiencies – stolid playing style, breakdown weaknesses, ineffective backline, shallow squad.
The real problem Leinster face is the growing might of French squads. The shifting, teetering English wage cap will only add to their woes.
Already, though, we have seen Leinster attempt to think outside the box. Sexton has been convinced to return due to the sponsorship and advertising deals that the club have helped facilitate.
Leinster are increasing the RDS’ capacity. By 2017 they will hope to get in 25,000 for their home games. The monetary [gate receipt] returns can only help when it comes to paying wages and presenting packages to foreign prospects.
I would not argue for a moment that Leinster have covered themselves in glory this season. Still, they should have enough credit in the bank with their supporters.
It has been year to forget but now is the perfect time to prove to the squad, and country, that Leinster fans back their team through thick and thin.
And, while they are at it, they can say goodbye to Shane Jennings and Gordon D’Arcy and cheer on the next generation of stars that will hopefully start 2015/16 in style while the senior lads are off on World Cup duty.
