Leinster vs Edinburgh

triggering a return to Leinster in 2002.
This was made more attractive by the
departure of Bob Casey to London Irish
and Trevor Brennan to Toulouse that
summer and the offer of a two-year senior
contract.
“There was a gap that needed filling and,
I guess, it was natural for me to move
home where Willie had become Leinster
assistant to Matt Williams.
“For my first year, I played for Leinster
and for Dungannon because of how they
had looked after me for two seasons.”
Interestingly, Aidan’s memory of many
marquee moments are sketchy at best: “I
don’t know why that is,” he remarks.
“Maybe the Donnybrook matches are
rolled into one. They all seemed similar.
Don’t forget, this was back at a time
when the crowds were 5,000-6,000
whereas the away matches were all
about new experiences.
For example, the debut in blue against
Glasgow Warriors on September 6,
2002, does not resonate at all. He made
three successive appearances in the
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