
Irish heavyweights Leinster powered to their third Heineken Cup triumph in four seasons as they established themselves as true giants of the European game.
First-half tries by flanker Sean O'Brien and prop Cian Healy put Leinster on the way towards a record-breaking triumph as they swept aside Ulster 42-14.
And with midfield magician Brian O'Driscoll calling the shots, Leinster's reign as Heineken Cup holders was never seriously threatened in front of almost 82,000 spectators at Twickenham.
A penalty try early in the second period confirmed Leinster's dominance - it was awarded after Ulster collapsed a driving maul - and there was no way back for the underdogs after that.
Fly-half Jonathan Sexton kicked three conversions and three penalties for a 15-point haul as Leinster became the first team since Leicester in 2002 to successfully defend the Heineken Cup.
And when replacement prop Heinke van der Merwe and Sean Cronin scored near full time - Cronin's try being converted by Fergus McFadden - it gave Leinster the biggest winning margin in Heineken Cup finals since the tournament began 17 years ago.
They also added the most tries in a Heineken final for good measure, and the most points scored.
Ulster could only admire such quality as Leinster laid claim too be the greatest team in European club rugby history.
Ulster threatened in patches, yet their only consolation was a late Dan Tuohy try that followed three Ruan Pienaar penalties.
O'Driscoll believes Leinster are building a dynasty after they won a record-breaking third Heineken Cup title in four years.
He told Sky Sports 3: "It will take a couple of days for it to properly to settle in but after we won one we talked about not being content with that and trying to create some sort of dynasty and something to be remembered by.
"We're going in the right direction towards doing that but I know this team will be hungry for more .
"That's why it's enjoyable, You're going in day-in and day-out because you know you're going to be pushed by the guy next to you. We played for one another out there and that really showed today.
"The energy from all 23 was phenomenal, it shows where we are as a squad. I only came in for the knockout stages. For the important part, but the hard graft was put in during the group stages."
Man-of-the-match O'Brien revealed the winning Leinster side are still looking to push on despite claiming back-to-back European titles.
He said: "We've worked hard in the last 10 months and today was they day where we had to for go it and thankfully we got the win.
"It's a strong squad and we really want to kick on. Every time we put on a blue shirt there's an energy around us.
"We trusted the team and we trusted the system. At times today there were lots of mistakes but winning is important and that's what we did today."
Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin, who tasted defeat in his last game in charge of the Irish province, admitted Leinster deserved the trophy.
He said: "It was really only in the last 16 minutes that Leinster moved away as the game was very much in the balance.
"We fought back hard and scored a nice try but in the last 10 minutes Leinster showed what a quality side they are and how much they deserved the trophy
"I wouldn't do anything differently today at all. We knew it was always going to be difficult."
 



