Jacob Boyd was virtually speechless following RBAI's breathless Schools' Cup win over Campbell College on Friday.
The influential skipper scored the match-winning try in the fifth minute of injury time to record Inst's first win in the competition since 2017 and the 33rd in their history.
The showpiece decider looked destined to end in a 17-17 draw as the game entered added time.
Read more: RBAI win Schools' Cup with dramatic injury time try at Kingspan Stadium
But Inst provided the late drama by recycling the ball several times before Boyd rushed over from about 10 yards out to seal a 22-17 triumph.
It was cruel and devastating on Campbell who thought they had earned a share of the trophy.
Asked about his late try, Boyd exhaled: "I don't know.... I looked up and saw space and thought I will have a crack. I still can't get over it.
"The message as the game went into added time was 'they will not score'. We just had to keep going at the end.
"We kept carrying and breaking the gain line, and I just saw my chance and ran at the ref as he is usually in the way of things, and I kept pumping the legs."
Campbell more than played their part in an exciting final at Kingspan.
They eased into a 7-0 lead when Jed Dornan burst over the line for the opening try which Matt Rea added the conversion.
RBAI responded with a try from inspirational captain Boyd to make it 7-5, but Campbell finished the half with a Rea penalty to lead 10-7 at the break.
Inst took the lead for the first time in the game in the 43rd minute when Jacob Edwards touched down. Josh Eagleson added the extras.
It was then 17-10 to Inst when Alex Place dived over at the corner from a great pass from Eagleson.
Campbell wouldn't go away quietly, and they were level when Henry Ralston dived over on the hour mark. Rea slotted over a brilliant conversion to draw the sides level.
And with the game on a knife edge, RBAI skipper Boyd delivered the match-winning moment deep into added time.
"It means everything to lift that trophy. It is something I wanted to win ever since coming to the school," Boyd said.
"I knew of the teams who did it before and I wanted this team to do it for ourselves."
Boyd was one of the first Inst players to commiserate Campbell's devastated team at the final whistle.
He added: "I just told Campbell to keep their heads up and look to the future. What a great game that was."
And paying tribute to Inst's fans, he said: "The fans were incredible. When times are tough, you just look up and they spurred us on. That roar from the crowd.
"Celebrating with them meant everything."
Meanwhile, Inst coach Jamie Kirk admitted it was "hard to hold back the tears" after watching his side lift the cup.
He said: "It is really hard to put into words. Credit to Campbell it was a great game.
"But to see those boys walk over and see what it means to them, it is hard to put into words. That final phase of the game was brilliant. The lads have shown the utmost belief in each other.
"We said at half-time to stick in there and you should have seen it in their eyes. Credit to Campbell, they were excellent and well drilled. You do feel for them.
"The inspiration the boys have given the school and the unity in the school right now is outstanding. It has been a long wait, but coming back from coronavirus >Covid it feels like a different era and we have done really well."
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RBAI win Schools' Cup with dramatic injury time try at Kingspan Stadium
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