Peter Burke
I wouldn’t have said its in the bag for Munster prior to kickoff but with the current run of form that Munster are on and a somewhat patchy form for Connacht the odds were against a home upset. Munster were looking for their first interpro win of the season and they had the perfect evening in Thomond to make amends.
Munster recorded a 35-point win over Connacht and it was in the second forty minutes that they really motored.
The opening 15 minutes was all Munster as they dominated possession and territory and went close for an opening try on a few occasions but Connacht’s defence held.
Munster continued to keep the ball in hand, and found themselves go from the halfway line to 5m out. However Shamus Hurley-Langton received for, lets face it, as cynical a play as you could get and a yellow card was awarded and Munster opted for the 5m tap and go.
Snyman went for it and stretched out to ground the ball and after a TMO review the referee awarded the try with Crowley kicking the extras.
The second try came on the 27th minute with Nash breaking the line and through a gap he went and he was unstoppable and ran all the way to the corner to touch down, a superb try. Crowley with the extras and Munster were 14-0 in front.
As the sheds beckoned Connacht responded. A pass from Jack Carty nullified a number of Munster defenders as Ralston crossed for his side’s first try of the game. Carty added the extras to put seven points between the sides at the break.
The second half did not go well for Connacht, as their defence was leaking and the gaps were found and exploited by Munster
Munster scored again and their lead was now 21-7. Alex Nankivell picked up a ball from the base of a ruck and spotted a gap that you could’ve driven a fork lift through sideways from 65m to score. Crowley added the extras and Munster were now in full control.
The bonus-point for Munster came about the 60’ mark when Peter O’Mahony found Nankivell in space he popped the ball back in for Simon Zebo who found Murray beside him who scored under the posts. Carbery added the extras as Munster’s lead stretched out to 28-7.
Connacht hit back with a second try from Ralston but this game was not for turning and Munster were not losing this as Joey Carbery, Tom Ahern and Shane Daly all crossed the whitewash
Antoine Frisch produced an offload to send Joey Carbery clear for his try which he converted. They weren’t finished yet and Ahern caught an overthrown Connacht lineout and off he went to touch down in the corner with Carbery missing the conversion from a tight angel.
Shane Daly got on the score sheet as the clock ticked closer to the 80’ he crossed for a deserved try after Carbery converting to round off a comprehensive win for the Munster men.
Connacht headed home with some work to do as they were exposed all over the park with too many gaps and way too much space giving their opponents ample opportunities to exploit.
Final score Munster 47 – 12 Connacht .