Joe McCarthy: 'We know everyone loves to hate Leinster'
Joe McCarthy believes "everyone loves to hate Leinster" and admitted that they use that perception as motivation.
The Ireland second row was speaking following the province's 37-19 victory over Glasgow Warriors, which secured a first BKT URC final berth since 2021
Leo Cullen's side were never really challenged by the defending champions, who scored two late tries to put a flattering sheen on the scoreboard.
Leinster had come in for severe criticism following a series of lacklustre performances in the last month but came out firing against the Warriors, scoring four of their six tries in the opening half.
"We know everyone loves to hate Leinster so that definitely drives us on," the 24-year-old told RTÉ Sport.
"We have a great fan base so we don't really care about the outside noise, what you guys [on the TV panel] say or the fans or other people say."
FT: LEIN 37-19 GLA
Joe McCarthy: 'Everyone loves to hate Leinster and that drives us on'.
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Last champions four years ago, Leinster had lost all three semi-finals since the South African teams joined the competition.
"We just want to rip into next week," added the Dubliner, who will go on his first Lions tour this summer.
"We definitely needed that, it's our first URC final.
"It's massive for us. We need the fans behind us now, we're into Croke Park.
"It's exactly where we want to be, it's a great buzz.
"There's always pressure, we've never reached a URC final.
"We've disappointment this year already so we want to finish strong and get the fans back on our side.
Asked if Leinster prepared any differently this week, he said: "Nothing crazy, the lads are so up for it, so hungry to win silverware, there's a good feel but the job's not done yet."
Hooker Dan Sheehan scored trademark lineout maul tries at the start and end of the first half, with Jamie Osborne and Thomas Clarkson crossing the line in between.
"Our set-piece dominance has been a cornerstone of our success this year," said McCarthy.
"Sometimes we haven't got a reward for it but today was a good day, we were accurate, really physical, we shut them down at lineout and scrum and we'll keep building on that."
Glasgow boss France Smith admitted the better team won: "It was a huge performance from them from the word go. I felt the urgency.
"On the day we weren't good enough, especially in the first half. They are a quality outfit.
"I'm really proud [of the lads], you must see this in context."
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