Murray Kinsella Reports from Sydney

DAN SHEEHAN SAT beside Tadhg Furlong last weekend as the game ticked into the final seconds and felt a familiar feeling.

They looked at each other.

“How many times have we been sitting on this bench in this situation and we’ve never won a game?” said Furlong.

Memories of Leinster games flashed back. They’d been here before. And it hadn’t gone well.

But this time, it worked out. Those last moments weren’t easy until they watched Hugo Keenan surge over.

“When you’re sitting on the bench, it’s out of your control,” said Sheehan. “Obviously, the bench were doing a great job, which was nice to see, but it was something that felt like a fan in some ways. You’re so engulfed in what you’re seeing. 

“But it’s probably almost more enjoyable watching it happen and being able to celebrate.”

The after-match was special for the Leinster crew because they’ve been on the opposite side too many times.

The Lions retreated into their changing room and had some special moments.

“I was literally just about to jump in the shower,” said Sheehan. “I had the shorts off and everything, and then Jamo [Gibson-Park] was like, ‘we’re out’.

“So, we all got out and circled up, and I don’t think the MCG were very happy with us on the cricket crease, but we’re having scrums on the cricket crease, so we might as well sit down on a chair.

“You can see the photos. It’s something special. Everyone’s singing songs in a group and it’s just us and it’s sort of a moment to reflect on the journey. It’s been long enough, since we’ve been out here, when you look back at Perth and that first meet up. So, yeah, it was nice to celebrate it.”

Sheehan scored the Lions’ first try from a five-metre tap penalty.

His first tap before that saw him carrying low, but the second time, he dove straight over the top of two Australian tacklers.

Dan Sheehan with Andy Farrell. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

“I took the first one and I got absolutely melted trying to go low,” said Sheehan.

“Usually, it’s one lad goes low and someone maybe is high and I just got both shoulders melted low and I didn’t really get much out of it. 

“Then the second one I just thought, ‘If I have a dive here…’ I didn’t know if they had anyone in the back. It was just a throw and hope and I slipped through.

“Yeah, I can see all the controversy about it, but I did know that you can dive in the air if you score.

“I’m not sure actually if I missed the line would it be a penalty or not?” 

Sheehan reckons it might have been a penalty against him if the two Aussies hadn’t gone low into the tackle.

“It would have been a penalty as well probably if they actually caught me high. It’s a tough job in professional rugby. I don’t know why they pick the hooker to do it. I think Exeter started that. [Luke Cowan-] Dickie probably did that.” 

Sheehan knows that Hugo Keenan’s try will be better remembered, even if it’s not the fullback who has been bragging.

“It’s gone to his old man’s head, I think!” joked Sheehan.

The celebrations since have been hearty.

But Sheehan stressed that there is still a job to be finished this weekend.

“I think it’s obviously different if the series was in the balance but I think we’ve always been pretty clear on our goals,” said Sheehan. “At the start of the campaign, it was to go unbeaten overseas and win the series 3-0. So, we just need to stick to what we said.

“There’s a lot of people who’ve put a lot of effort into travelling out for this game and obviously a lot of our families will be here, so I think there’s plenty of motivation on the line and I can only imagine what the Australians are feeling now as well.

“So, we need to make sure that we show up and are aiming to win a third Test.

“We had some good meetings, being open and honest about what we’re trying to achieve here as a group, and what we said at the start, which was to win 3-0.

“So, I think it would be disappointing if we didn’t show up on Saturday.”