Munster had the toughest possible draw; first they were pitched into a Pool that included the defending Heineken Cup and English champions London Wasps; the new powerhouse of French rugby ASM Clermont Auverge; and Welsh side Llanelli Scarlets who had beaten them in the quarter final in 2007.

Back to back wins in Stradey Park and crucial losing points in Coventry and Montferrand saw them emerge Pool winners only to face the prospect of away games in both the quarter-final and semi-final. They became the only team in the history of the Heineken Cup to win quarters and semis away from home, defeating Gloucester and Saracens.

And finally, there was the never to be forgotten 24th May at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, when they defeated Toulouse, the most successful team in the history of the tournament, to become champions of Europe for the second time in three years. Roared on by the Red Army, this extraordinary panel of players and their backroom and coaching staffs have brought Irish rugby to an undreamed pinnacle.

Munster Champions of Europe recalls this triumphant progress in over 200 stunning photographs as well as contemporary match reports from The Irish Examiner.