It wasn't enough that Dungannon won the AIB League final. Being the type of side that also takes considerable pride in the positive and expansive way they try to play the game, it was important for Willie Anderson and his players they did it with style.

"We wanted to show the whole of Ireland this is the style of rugby Dungannon play," the club's coach admitted afterwards. "We did it the Dungannon way."

Nor could the 27-times capped former Irish captain rank anything in his career higher than this. "I played 20-odd years for Dungannon. I captained them and I coached them for 10 years and I've captained Ireland, and this is right up there because I didn't play for Ireland for 20 years and this is the culmination of a lot of hard work with a good group of players. It ranks right up there."

Anderson observed his players "did Dungannon, Tyrone and Ulster proud today". He also paid tribute to the backroom staff: "Davey Haslett, my mentor for the last three years, Terry Ansley, Paul Milligan, Terry Jackson, all the guys who have helped and Stephen Aboud as well, who helped us with our backline. But most of the credit has to go to the players. They wanted to do it for themselves and mostly the club. For me, I've never seen that sort of emotion."

Nonetheless, that there would be a high degree of emotional commitment to the Dungannon cause is not surprising, given Anderson is the coach. "Most of the players wouldn't have a natural identity with Dungannon but through the coach and the supporters we have been made to feel part of a community and hence the lads have a real feel for the club," said winger Tyrone Howe. "I know it sounds like a cliche but the boys were playing for more than just ourselves. It's great being part of a club, and not just on the pitch. Whatever representative commitments we have next season, I really hope we get to play a few games for our club as well." As they filtered out of the losing dressing-room, Constitution players were still palpably impressed by the sheer quality of the team which had just beaten them. "Full credit to them, I think they're worthy champions," observed Constitution's Brian Hickey, who will review his own position as first team coach in the next couple of weeks. "They played fantastic rugby to get there and I think they played fantastic rugby today. Not a lot went our way but you have to give them credit for that too. Maybe they didn't allow it go our way."

Still, it also clearly rankled with Con that they didn't do themselves justice on their biggest day of the season. "But as I said to them 15 minutes ago, they can be proud of the rugby they played throughout the season and the character they showed," concluded Hickey.

Johnny Bell sustained a twisted ankle which jeopardises his participation with the Irish squad for Saturday's trip to Romania.