Leinster ensured it was a night to remember for Luke McGrath, James Lowe, and Rieko Ioane, amongst others, as they convincingly beat the Vodacom Bulls 36-7 at Croke Park.
Leo Cullen's men became the first back-to-back champions of the URC era, and were in control of the Dublin final from early on, going on to outscore the Bulls by five tries to one.
McGrath, one of Leinster's most-capped players of all-time, came on for the final few minutes, joining fellow departing players, Lowe and Ioane, in the back-line.
Out-half Prendergast was picked out as the BKT URC player-of-the-match, having scored a try, saved another, kicked nine points, and outshone his opposite number, two-time Rugby World Cup winner Handré Pollard.
It has been a timely return to form for the Kildare youngster, who started all three of Leinster's URC play-off wins over South African opposition, and was delighted to finish the job tonight.
"We've got a lot of unbelievable characters leaving the group this year, and I think it's just pretty special to give them a send-off," he said afterwards.
"A happy memory for them to end on, and have a few nice days now celebrating."
Prendergast is part of a 36-strong Ireland squad which will travel to Sydney on Monday, ahead of their first Nations Championship Tests against Australia, Japan, and New Zealand in July.
His impressive run of performances in blue will have boosted his chances of starting the Southern Hemisphere Series opener against the Wallabies, particularly with Jack Crowley missing the tour through injury.
Facing the same opponents in the Bulls at the same venue, and with much the same outcome in 36-7 compared to last year's 32-7 victory, Prendergast was asked to compare the two finals.
"I don't know about the games, but the feeling within the group felt very similar. It was pretty similar. Two very good performances," he replied.
He was delighted to finish the season with prized silverware - Leinster's 10th league crown in all - and bounce back in the best possible fashion from their recent Investec Champions Cup final disappointment in Bilbao.
"I suppose since maybe Europe, all our group have been focused on is just winning this trophy. No one has won it back-to-back, now we have.
"That's pretty special. I don't think anyone's really thought too much into the future, so we've just thought of that," he added.
The 23-year-old has certainly let his rugby do the talking after missing out on selection for the last three rounds of the Guinness Men's Six Nations, and seeing Harry Byrne wear Leinster's number 10 jersey for the Champions Cup's knockout rounds.
Ciarán Frawley was also the province's back-up option in the playmaking role during that time, including for the Bilbao decider against Bordeaux-Bègles which ended in a chastening 41-19 defeat.
However, there has been much to admire about how Prendergast has responded to those personal setbacks, putting together a run of four starts with 55 points scored.
Head coach Leo Cullen had full faith in him having the desired impact on the URC final, and praised a big defensive moment that saw him deny the fast-breaking Bulls from a Stravino Jacobs kick.
With 19 minutes on the clock and the hosts leading 12-0, Prendergast brilliantly raced back into his own 22 to smother the loose ball, under pressure from Jacobs and Canan Moodie.
"It's pleasing to see Sam have a big game today," acknowledged Cullen, who has now coached Leinster to six league title wins in nine years.
"On big days you need players to play like big-game players. Whether you're Jerry Cahir in your first URC final, or Sam, or your most experienced guys.
"Because listen, ultimately that's what it is all about and we need to do everything we can to support them.
"And we try to support all the players during the course of the year and that's important because everyone has great intentions of going out there, but they're young men and it's never going to be always perfect, is it?
"Specifically with Sam, probably the moment that stands out to me most is his chase back when he goes down on that loose ball.
"You look at the scoreline at the end and it looks like there's a big gap between the two teams, but that's not the way the game actually played out.
"It was not like we were 30 points better than the Bulls. It was moments that we were to take (advantage of), and it was moments where we were able to stop them scoring."
He continued: "There was a little bit of luck involved in that, and a little bit of desire, commitment to the team, and that moment is probably the one that stands out for me the most.
"Then when obviously the Bulls lose a guy to the bin, where they're brave enough to play the space, and obviously there's the moment where Sam takes the line on and puts in that 50:22 kick, and you know, that's just the sign of a great young player, playing at this level.
"He's had lots of experience now, and is just getting better and better all the time."
