Munster’s second Interprovincial clash ended in defeat this evening with Connacht Eagles claiming a 15-19 victory at Garryowen FC.
At hafltime in Dooradoyle Munster were behind 3-10 after an opening try from Connacht centre Jerome Harimate, converted by Tadhg Leader. Leader kicked a penalty to extend the lead after 21 minutes before Scott Deasy got Munster on the scoreboard 6 minutes later.
There was an early change in personnel with Neil Cronin coming on as blood replacement for Captain Cathal Sheridan, and again at the half hour mark.
The opening exchanges were in Connacht's favour as they broke through the middle and capitalised on Munster's mistakes. Handling errors proved costly for the home side where a number of opportunities were left behind, one in particular when Corey Hircock made a great break up the wing, drawing the Connacht defence before passing the ball inside to Ronan O'Mahony who couldn't stick the pass under pressure.
Scott Deasy missed a penalty kick in front of the posts to close the gap, before Hircock was on the attack again, this time chasing his own chip through before a scrambling Connacht defence beat him to the line.
In the final minutes of the opening half Costello's side found some cohesive form, keeping the ball in hand moving it out wide with Darren Moroney making the break, before a knock on once again turned possession in Connacht's favour.
Scott missed two further penalty chances in the second half before a Munster maul drove over the line with replacement hooker Duncan Casey claiming the spoils.
It was all level with Deasy adding the convert after 58 minutes but Connacht were quick to pull away again after two successive Leader penalties.
Munster once again kept the ball in tight with the pack going forward down the left wing and Barry O'Mahony found himself at the end of Munster's second try. A missed conversion denied Munster the lead as they battled in to the final minutes a point behind, 15-16.
Connacht closed the game out with an easy penalty chance for Leader in front of the posts to give the visitors a final 15-19 victory.
Munster A: Johnny Holland; Ronan O'Mahony (R Mullane 72"), Corey Hircock, Cian Bohane, Darren Moroney; Scott Deasy, Cathal Sheridan capt (N Cronin Blood Rep.11" & 28"), David Kilcoyne (James Cronin 60"), Sean Henry (D Casey 56"), John Ryan (C Condon 52"); Philip Donnellan, Cathal O'Flaherty (S Rennison 54"); Brian Hayes, Barry O'Mahony, Shane Buckley. Replacements: Duncan Casey, James Cronin, Christy Condon, James Murphy, Sean Rennison, Neil Cronin, Richie Mullane, David Johnson (Rockwell).
Connacht Eagles: Steve Macauley; Conor Finn, Jerome Harimate, Finn Gormley, Matt Healy; Tadhg Leader, Marcus Walsh; Finlay Bealham, Kurt Haupt, JP Conney; Jonathan Gardiner, Danny Qualter; TJ Anderson, Eoghan Grace, Dave Heffernan. Replacements: Peter Reilly, Jamie Dever, Robert Sweeney, Conor Kindregan, Aaron Conneely, Chris Lilly, Sam Johnson, Callum Boland.
