Jack O’Donoghue bagged a brace of tries for Munster A as they got their British and Irish Cup campaign back on track with a 23-12 win in Nottingham tonight at Meadow Lane.
As the Champions Cup side continued on winning ways in Thomond Park, Mick O'Driscoll's side got back to winning ways thanks to tries in each half from Munster academy player and Munster A Captain Jack O'Donoghue and an impressive return to action from Johnny Holland.
The Munster fly half made his comeback from a shoulder injury picked up on his senior debut last month and converted both of the Waterford man's tries and added three penalties to his tally to clinch the win.
Munster led 13-0 at the break but tries from Matt Everard and Paul Grant got them back in the tie only for Holland and O'Donoghue to clinch the victory.
Sean McCarthy’s yellow just before the break was the one drawback of the first 40 minutes.
Munster were forced back on their heels in the opening minutes of the second-half, Dan Mugford missed a kick at goal for Nottingham before Paul Grant rampaged over five minutes in.
Mugford missed two further kicks his side couldn’t afford and he was then sacrificed.
In his stead came Will Maisey and he converted a wonderful try from open-side Matt Everard in the 67th minute that brought Nottingham to within a point.
But Munster remained composed, and after Holland gave them a four-point lead they got their second try through O’Donoghue after some more intense pressure.
Holland converted and Munster claimed a vital victory to regain top spot in the pool.
Referee: Rhys Thomas (Wales)
Nottingham: B Robinson; R Hough, E Styles (J Munro 60), J Pohe, P Iongi; D Mugford (W Maisey 60), S Romans (A Smit 68); G Porter, S Malton, M Holford (C Carey 53); T Freeman, M Eames (R Cooper 66); B Wilson (capt), M Everard (T Calladine 68), P Grant.
Munster A: S Fitzgerald; G O’Shea, D Goggin (N Hodson 79), R Scannell, R O’Mahony (A Wootton 80); J Holland, C Sheridan; A Cotter, N Scannell (M Abbott 80), R Burke (G Sweeney 80); D O’Callaghan, S McCarthy; S Buckley (R Murphy 69), B O’Mahony (S Dougall 52), J O’Donoghue (capt).
