Loughney had the game of his life in the loose that is for sure. He was battered and bruised after the game but smiling as if he was floating on air. Loughney carried the cup through security at the airport - other than Muldoon, this probably means more to him than anyone else. I am so delighted for him that he played so well on the big stage - thanks for everything Ronan.

Ronan Loughney made 17 tackles according to Gerry Thornley. That is sensational.

He seems such a nice fella too. Delighted for him.

So proud to be in Edinburgh on Saturday - it was an incredible day. We played joyous, pulsating rugby which very few teams could have lived with on the day. Every player was incredible really. The scrum struggled but the front row were still amazing - I counted three rock-solid tackles by Loughs in the first five minutes - that set the tone really. Irish rugby teams should use Connacht as a template. That style of rugby must be so enjoyable to play and must be exhausting to play against. We are not a large nation of people so should play to our strengths - we are smart and have good all round footballing skills.

I had the pleasure of mixing with the team at the airport on the way home, and even treated them to a bottle of prosecco! Such a modest and well-grounded bunch of lads. We should be so proud of them - they are a credit to our province.

Full Match

From the Irish Times:

Be that as it may, all 46 were taken to Edinburgh, and when financial imperatives limited it to that number, Muldoon and the players had a whip around to pay for another four academy players who had been training with the squad.

Special.

Well, that was a weekend, wasn't it? I don't think the forum has ever been quieter on the weekend of a major game, never mind a final, never mind wining the thing! Sheer excitement, I'm going to assume.

Major props to everyone who was lucky enough to make it over. It was great to see so many familiar faces over there. The three sisters was like the Clan Bar on a good day, everywhere we went there were connacht jerseys, flags etc. We did take the place over a bit.

Every neutral there was shouting for Connacht, somewhat as expected. Partly because we're percieved as the underdog , but partly because they just like the band of rugby we're playing!

Thanks too to the Leinster supporters. All of them had a good word to say about our lads afterwards, very very gracious in a defeat that must have stung more than they were letting on.

But: what a match. From the Fields as the bus was pulling in, to walking into the stadium, to the final whistle, to lifting the trophy, I don't think I've ever been more emotional at a match. And our lads made it worthwhile. A shaky opening few mins, but something clicked very early on and that was that.

Every single man put in a huge shift: Niyi, Matt and Tiernan were incredible, Bundee and Robbie were totally solid (and great to see Robbie enjoying himself for his last game with us), AJ outshone Sexton, Marmion was brilliant. Loughney was on fine form, Tom was everywhere, Finlay was brilliant (he'll be lining out in number 9 next year!), Ultan plowed through lads like no tomorrow, Aly was fantastic (we are going to miss that man next year!), Jake was aggressive, Eoin was amazing. And as for Mul, the man could do no wrong - he wanted the win, he wanted the trophy, and no team no matter how many internationals was going to stop him.

I know a few of us were saying that it has yet to really hit us: We're the Pro12 champs. Our best every finish before this was 7th? We came second this year, we beat the previous title holders back to back, and then took apart Leinster in the final.

We have so much to look forward to now. The win is going to help to attract some talent to Connacht, keep those lads we already have, we're top seeds in the Not The Heiniken Cup, we're playing a brand and style of rugby that people want to watch.

2015/2016 was a great year. Roll on the next season.

I have waited a few days to try and calm down so I can do a somewhat reasonable job on summing things up.

What I realised is I can't put words down on paper that would do proper justice!

Although I haven't lived in Ireland for a number of years now and it has indeed been a long time since I have lived at home in Galway, I think when one is abroad, things like this mean even more. It reminds you that wider realisation of what it means to truly love who you are and where you have come from.

i started playing rugby at u-10 and played into adult years. I love the game. I love what it gives a person in terms of character, a sense of team, sportsmanship and above all fun.
I won't lie that over the last few years, I had started to lose my love for the game. There is a lot to dislike about where the game is going, here in Europe in particular. My love for watching Ireland recently has been trying and to see a nation of warriors play with such restriction and fear, well, it takes a lot of the enjoyment away doesn't it?

Anyway, to say I was ever so proud and emotional to see this season and the win on Saturday unfold is an understatement. I am thrilled for the players and everyone involved in Team Connacht. It is justice is every sense of the word for perseverance and grit in a belief system and in daring greatly.

But you know what, I am even more thrilled for everyone out there just like me.

Yes, all you feckers!!!

Is there any prize money for winning the Pro 12 ?

ahahahaha! Never thought of that! Your idea sounds even better!

AJ6000 - Minor flaw with your idea: as we are CHAMPIONS and dirty rotten plastic Saracens won the premiership we'll both be in pot one for the draw, but I appreciate your sentiment. Better idea:- we'll beat those feckers in the final! (You heard it here first!)

Rex wrote: Some day out that was with so many highlight apart from the game itself. Proud to see how many Connacht fans of all ages that made the trip.

The biggest highlight was the reception the team got when they arrived in the stadium. It was something special and have never been part of anything so memorable.

There was a bunch of us in the murrayfield hotel before the game. Leinster, Connacht and Glasgow (cum Connacht) fans. Have to give credit to the leinster couple with us. Bought a round of drinks and wouldn't accept one in return and said before they left, hope ye win. Ye are a breath of fresh air to Irish rugby. Lovely couple. I love the sense of friendship that rugby engenders and I met so many really great and fun folk this weekend. I just love the spirit of the game. What a sport. I'm such a proud Connacht supporter no matter the result. This weekend tops anything I have ever experienced.

Some day out that was with so many highlight apart from the game itself. Proud to see how many Connacht fans of all ages that made the trip.

The biggest highlight was the reception the team got when they arrived in the stadium. It was something special and have never been part of anything so memorable.

What a match! Absolutely outstanding rugby from Connacht regardless of how Leinster played. Is this an honorary bank holiday now!?!???!

Mul for president!

The people who were lucky enough to be there won't have seen it but the difference in the body language of the 2 teams before coming out for half time said it all.

Leinster looked like they didn't want to go back out. Heads down, nervous looks and looked like going out to face that Connacht team again was the last thing they wanted to do.

Connacht in contrast were all together, hopping and smiling, ready to go out and finish the job.

I was almost in tears at several points during the game. Not due to the fact that it was looking like we were going to win, but I just couldn't comprehend how enjoyable it was to watch the way we played. I haven't seen the kind of exciting balls to the walls rugby that we play since the the French national sides of the early 2000's who didn't care if you scored 5 tries against them cos they were going to score 6.

This is the sport that I've played for around 20 of my 25 years on this planet and I haven't enjoyed watching it in a long time. The sport I loved had turned into big useless centres and 20kg wingers bashing it up and aimless kick after kick after kick.

We play the way that the SH teams have been always been playing and it's a joy to watch.

I was blubbering like a baby at full time and it was all the sweeter that we beat Leinster (They needed a Connacht player to score for them) after they had poached player after player from us only to use them to warm the bench more often than not.

I'm thrilled for the young players that I have played with and against growing up, especially David (Not Dave!) Heffernan who I've known all my life and have played rugby with throughout the age groups for Ballina.

AJ and especially Muldowney are big losses but we have proved that anyone can fill a role in our team.

The most exciting thing about this is that we can only get better! I fully expect us to not only do well in next years HCup but I expect us to qualify for the knock out stages. On a crazier thought I don't care but I want Saracens in our group. I want to avenge that humiliation they gave us at their place.

The future is looking bright!

That was one of the best days of my life, what a win, what a season, what a team!

Congratulations Connacht.
Was at the game mixing with the faithful. Great craic !
Outplayed and out sang them!
Aly was great - "once a warrior........" Can we have him back ?
And what can you say about Muldoon ?
If ever someone deserved a trophy it's yer man?
Enjoy. See ye all next year in the Crane.