It was a 10 try thriller as Munster overcame interpro rivals Connacht in the first match of the 24/25 season.
In a hugely physical display between the two sides, it was just small margins that separated them. Connacht led at half-time, but it was Munster that just edged them out in the last ten minutes.
After an away fixture to Zebre, Munster will take on Ospreys at Virgin Media Park on Saturday, 5th October, 7.35pm kick-off. Buy tickets here.
The visitors claimed the first score of the match after a dominant first fifteen minutes. Excellent interplay from the Connacht backs led to debutant Josh Ioane getting down for the try. The conversion came up just shy of the posts, 0-5.
Scrum-half Ben Murphy was next to get over the line just seven minutes later, as he gathered the Ioane’s offload and went in behind the posts. With a successful conversion Connacht led 0-12.
Key play from centres Tom Farrell and Alex Nankivell kept the ball alive in attack, and changed the pace of the game. Munster broke through, and with a creative offload from Farrell to Ruadhán Quinn, Craig Casey was brought down just shy of the line. Santiago Cordero was sent to the sin bin for his high tackle on Casey, and Connacht found themselves down to fourteen men.
Nankivell took the opportunity to exploit the Connacht side, dashing through a gap and getting Munster’s first try of the match. Billy Burns converted to put the home side back in the game after 28 minutes, 7-12.
Farrell charged down the right wing to eventually be held up over the line, but Munster’s attacking form continued and just minutes later Mike Haley went over after a John Hodnett offload. Billy Burns split the uprights leaving putting Munster in the lead, 14-12.
Ben Murphy got his second try of the game just before the half-time whistle, with Cathal Forde converting to leave Connacht ahead at the break, 19-14.
In the second half Munster started off quickly, as John Hodnett got the hosts’ third try within the first five minutes. John Ryan spun it out to Hodnett, who dived over from close range. Billy Burns split the uprights and Munster re-took the lead, 21-19.
Josh Ioane missed a long-range penalty as the ball bounced off the posts, and Connacht missed their chance to draw the scores level. They were held up over the line by Gavin Coombes but got their try after Hawkshaw found the space and burst through to secure their bonus point. Ioane converted, 21-26.
Coombes crossed over for Munster after some smart footwork from Shane Daly and quick hands from Jack O’Donoghue. Replacement out-half Tony Butler successfully added the two points from the boot, 28-26.
Both sides brought on replacements just before Connacht’s Cathal Forde claimed their fifth try of the evening, Ioane converted bringing them within touching distance of victory, 28-33.
With just ten minutes to go, Daly brought the scores level, and Butler got the all important conversion allowing Munster to regain the lead and finish the match victorious. The final score stood at 35-33.
Munster: Mike Haley; Thaakir Abrahams, Tom Farrell (Seán O’Brien, ‘71), Alex Nankivell, Shane Daly (Seán O’Brien, HIA, ’36, Shane Daly ‘41); Billy Burns (Tony Butler ’53), Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman (Josh Wycherley, ’50), Diarmuid Barron (C) (Niall Scannell, ’62), John Ryan (Oli Jager ’50); Jean Kleyn (Jack O’Donoghue, ’55), Fineen Wycherley; Ruadhán Quinn (Alex Kendellen, ’50), John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Niall Scannell, Josh Wycherley, Oli Jager, Alex Kendellen, Jack O’Donoghue, Ethan Coughlan, Tony Butler, Seán O’Brien.
Tries: Alex Nankivell, Mike Haley, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes, Shane Daly.
Cons: Billy Burns (3), Tony Butler (2)
Connacht Round 1 Round-up
New signings Thaakir Abrahams, Tom Farrell and Billy Burns all started on their Munster debuts.
Jean Kleyn returned from injury after a 10-month absence due to an eye injury.
First-time half-back and centre partnerships for Craig Casey and Billy Burns, and in midfield for Alex Nankivell and Farrell.
