Munster A ran in five tries in Thomond Park this afternoon in recording a 33-13 win against Connacht Eagles.
Despite having the majority of the possession and territory in the opening 20 minutes Munster A trailed 3 nil after Eagles out-half and captain Conor McKeon kicked Connacht ahead with his opening shot at the posts.
Minutes later Munster eventually broke the Connacht defence when inside the visitor’s 22 Rory Scannell took the ball at speed and barged his way over for the first try of the afternoon, with JJ Hanrahan kicking the extras.
McKeon reduced the margin with his second penalty after 25 minutes when Munster were pinged for a ruck infringement. The westerners then moved ahead after winger Niyi Adeloukun capitalised on a defensive error from the home-side to score under the posts. The Connacht out-half added the conversion to push the score out to 7-13 in favour of the men in green.
Munster replied before the break when using their maul to good effect. Mick O’Driscoll’s men secured the penalty and opted to kick to the corner and with the pack driving for the line Sean Dougall claimed the second try of the afternoon. Hanrahan was on target with the touchline conversion and Munster led 14-13 going in at half-time.
The home-side pushed on for the second 40 and in keeping the visitors scoreless the men in red produced three tries through Ivan Dineen, Andrew Conway and James Cronin.
Niall Scannell was an early second half replacement and he made his presence felt immediately when carrying into the Connacht 22 before fast ruck ball was shifted across the back-line with Ivan Dineen running in Munster’s third try.
Andrew Conway touched down in the next attack after fellow winger Luke O’Dea made a searing break down the touchline, and with options inside Conway completed the attack when scoring under the posts. JJ added the easy conversion making it four from four, before being replaced by David Johnston.
O’Driscoll emptied his bench and despite making a raft of changes in the final 30 minutes Munster continued to attack until the very end.
After a series of pick and goes replacement prop James Cronin crashed over for the last score of the game in the final minute of play. Rory Scannell was off target with the difficult conversion.
Final score: Munster A 33 Connacht Eagles 13
Post-match Head Coach Mick O’Driscoll was impressed with his younger charges, with fullback Darren Sweetnam, centre Rory Scannell and second row Frank Bradshaw Ryan all warranting a mention.
Munster A: Darren Sweetnam; Andrew Conway (D McCarthy 70), Ivan Dineen (D Goggin 68), Rory Scannell (D Johnston 38 blood), Luke O'Dea; JJ Hanrahan (D Johnston 68), Neil Cronin (J Glynn 74); Liam O'Connor (J Cronin H/T), Kevin O'Byrne (N Scannell 50), Stephen Archer (P McCabe 50); John Madigan, Frank Bradshaw Ryan; Paddy Butler, Sean Dougall (Lee Nicholas 64), Jack O'Donoghue Capt. (J McSwiney 25).
Replacements: Niall Scannell, James Cronin, Peter McCabe, Joe McSwiney, Lee Nicholas, Jamie Glynn, Dan Goggin, David Johnston, Diarmuid McCarthy.
Referee: Gary Conway (IRFU)
