In a bruising pair of semi-finals, Leinster were convincingly dispatched by Toulouse while an unspectacular Biarritz ground out victory over Munster.

The lack of Irish representation in the Heineken Cup final for the first time in three years comes two months after the national team surrendered their Grand Slam to a vastly superior France.

But Ireland and Munster prop Horan denies the nation's fortunes are on the slide.

He said: "What can you read into these results when the draws were so tough with both Munster and Leinster coming to France?

"We both acquitted ourselves really well and both teams can be very proud of what they did.

"It was always going to be a tough test for us. After a quarter-final at home we knew we'd have to go to France twice and win both times if we were to win the competition.

"That would be a huge test for any team but to say that it means Irish rugby is on the way down is unfair."

Munster's defeat was the most dispiriting as it appeared to confirm suspicions that they are a fading force in Europe.

A day after a patched-up Leinster had been predictably outgunned by favourites Toulouse, they were overpowered 18-7 by a Biarritz side that finished a lowly seventh in the Top 14.

Yet Horan is surprised that Munster's obituary is being written and insists the 2006 and 2008 champions will be spurred on by the negativity.

"We've been written off before and it drives us. It's amazing how one game can turn things around," said the 32-year-old.

"There's a lot of fight left in the guys and these kind of defeats can only make the fellas stronger.

"This has happened to us before. We've had 10 years of it but still came back so I can't see why we can't come back from it again."

Munster's pedigree in Europe is second only to three-times champions Toulouse and they have been perennial contenders in the competition over the last decade.

Inevitably age has caught up with them and the main concern is that too many players are the wrong side of 30.

Critics claim the team urgently requires overhauling, but Horan insists they remain as ambitious as ever.

"Well, we are ageing. We're all getting older but a lot of us are playing some great rugby at the moment," he said.

"There's still great drive. There's a great mix of young players as well. It's always important to have a mix like that.

"No matter what team you are, as the years go on people will always say that you're getting too old. It's an excuse that people will use.

"But the drive is definitely there. Guys are keen and it still means so much to them."

Full-back Paul Warwick believes Munster will continue to challenge for European honours next season.

"This team definitely still has it in them - we are not a fading force," he said.

"There's huge desire and ambition and that will never be questioned with the talent we have in the dressing room."