Munster out of Celtic Cup

Glasgow sprung a major surprise when they reached the semi-finals of the Celtic Cup at the expense of Munster. The Scots produced one of their best ever displays to beat Munster 18-14.

Glasgow sprung a major surprise when they reached the semi-finals of the Celtic Cup at the expense of Munster.

The Scots went into a pulsating Hughenden clash against the Celtic League champions but they produced one of their best-ever displays to hold out in the face of a late onslaught from the Irishmen. Glasgow enjoyed an early flurry of pressure but were unable to break down a solid Irish back line who looked up for a real scrap.

Having weathered the storm Munster launched a sustained counter-attack which eventually resulted in the opening score. The visitors made a series of thrusts to gain ground before prop Simon Kerr made the decisive burst to plunge over the line for a try which Jeremy Staunton converted.

Glasgow’s hopes of a quick response nose-dived when Gareth Maclure was sin-binned for a verbal volley aimed at referee Hugh Watkins. However, the Hughenden centre almost made amends on his return to the field as the Scots enjoyed their best spell of pressure.

Maclure was an hand to receive the final pass after back row powerhouse Paul Dearlove had picked up and charged 40 metres from a scrum on halfway. But the ball spilled from Maclure’s grasp just inches short of the try line. The Scots enjoyed a double dose of good fortune when Staunton was off target with two kickable penalties and the home side cashed in with a brave rally which saw them forge ahead before the break.

After 34 minutes Scots winger Rory Kerr showed superb presence of mind and agility to touch down over his own head after being tackled a metre short. Australian fly-half Dan Parks levelled the scores with the conversion before kicking Glasgow into the lead on the stroke of half-time after Munster full-back Dominic Crotty was penalised for failing to release.

It was an extraordinary turn around, largely masterminded by the astute place-kicking of Parks which helped seize the initiative from the Irishmen. There was further pressure from Glasgow on the restart with both captain Cammy Mather and winger Dave Millard going close to extending the lead. But there was no stopping the home side when Kerr produced the pass which allowed Dearlove to breeze over.

Despite missing the conversion, Parks extended Glasgow’s lead to 18-7 with a penalty soon after. However, an enthralling contest took another twist when Mike Mullins’ try, converted by Staunton, reduced the leeway to four points and set up a grandstand finish.

Final Score: Glasgow 18 Munster 14

Munster Team:

15 – Dominic Crotty, 14 – Mossie Lawlor, 13 – Mike Mullins, 12 – Jason Jones Hughes, 11 – Shaun Payne, 10 – Jeremy Staunton, 9 – Eoin Reddan, 1 – Simon Kerr, 2 – Jerry Flannery, 3 – Jody Danaher, 4 – Trevor Hogan, 5 – David Pusey, 6- Stephen Keogh, 7 – David Wallace, 8 – Jim Williams.

Replacements: Martin McPhail, Killian Keane, Mike Prendergast, Colm McMahon, Eddie Halvey, Frank Roche, Martin Cahill

Glasgow Side:

15 Stuart Moffat,14 Rory Kerr, 13 Gareth Maclure, 12 Alan Bulloch, 11 David Millard, 10 Daniel Parks, 9 Kenny Sinclair, 1 Matt Proudfoot, 2 Simon Gunn, 3 Lee Harrison, 4 Andrew Hall, 5 Nathan Ross, 6 Cameron Mather (captain), 8 Paul Dearlove, 7 Donnie Macfadyen.

Replacements: 16 Scott Lawson, 17 Euan Murray, 18 Joe Beardshaw, 19 Roland Reid, 20 Richard McKnight, 21 Calvin Howarth, 22 Sean Lamont.