Over 1000 local fans gave in to curiosity and turned up for the first ever national GAA final to be held in mainland Europe - even if it was played on a rugby pitch.

What a spectacle they were presented with as Leinster produced a second-half from heaven to deal a fatal blow to Connacht's title hopes in sunny conditions.

Connacht stole the early show and despite racking up 10 first-half wides were in a commanding interval position at 0-7 to 0-2 ahead.

They stretched that gap to 1-9 to 0-4 following Eugene Cloonan's 41st minute goal, his first of two net busters.

But it was all down hill after that and four Leinster goals from John Hoyne, Rory Hanniffy and Henry Shefflin (2) sealed their win.

Shefflin's second was the key to victory when he put Leinster into a lead they wouldn't relinquish with a 58th minute strike to the net from a close range free.

Connacht: L Donoghue; D Joyce, D Cloonan, F Moore; F Healy, T Og Regan (0-1), D Tierney; J Conroy, O Canning; A Kerins (0-2), M Kerins (0-2), K Broderick; D Forde (0-2), E Cloonan (2-3), R Gantley (0-2).

Subs.: R Murray for Regan 51.

Leinster: J McGarry; M Kavanagh, N Hickey, D Franks; L Dunne, B Whelahan, S Hiney; C Keaney (0-1), D Lyng (0-1); T Walsh (0-2), J Hoyne (1-1), R Hanniffy (1-1); R Jacob, H Shefflin (2-2), B Carroll.

Subs.: B Murphy & G Hanniffy (0-1) for Jacob & Carroll 43, D O'Connor for Franks 48.