Leinster wins Heineken Cup

By Patrick Johnston

EDINBURGH (Reuters) - Leinster capped an outstanding year for Irish rugby by claiming a first Heineken Cup with a 19-16 win over English champions Leicester at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Stand-in flyhalf Jonny Sexton proved the difference as he showed no nerves in slotting over a 30-metre penalty with 10 minutes remaining to split the two evenly matches teams.

Leinster's success, the third Irish province to lift the trophy after Ulster and Munster, followed a first grand slam for Ireland in 61 years in March and the selection of a national record 14 players in the original British & Irish Lions squad.

The result was tough on Leicester who were aiming for a record equalling third triumph in the competition and had recovered after a surprisingly sluggish start to lead by seven points in the second half.

Irish captain Brian O'Driscoll gave Leinster a seventh minute lead when he dropped a goal from in front of the posts after early pressure, but Leicester's French scrumhalf Julien Dupuy replied with a penalty two minutes later.

Sexton, proving an able replacement for the injured Argentine international Felipe Contepomi, looked assured with his kicking and rifled a drop goal over from halfway after 18 minutes to regain the lead.

Leinster's confidence grew with Sexton adding a penalty to extend their lead to 9-3 as they dominated territory and possession.

COSTLY SPELL