Match Reports

Munster Bounce Back in Cork

23rd February 2018

Niall Scannell and James Cronin scored the tries for Munster as they saw off Conference A leaders Glasgow Warriors in Cork tonight.

The province started well in a sold out 8,008 capacity Irish Independent Park with the scoreline reflecting the effort at half-time as they led 13-0 after Niall Scannell’s try and eight points from the boot of Tyler Bleyendaal.

Glasgow hit back through Adam Hastings kicks and George Horne’s well-worked try in the third quarter, however a solid performance from the home pack allowed the side to build on their good start and James Cronin’s try sealed the win, cutting the gap to the Warriors to 12 points.

Returning Ireland international winger Andrew Conway was a late withdrawal and he was replaced by academy winger Calvin Nash, with Darren Sweetnam moving onto the bench.

The men in red were 37-10 losers when these sides met at Scotstoun Stadium in Round 4 on 22 September, and taking on a side that only suffered one defeat in this campaign so far was always going to be a huge battle.

Bleyendaal, who was starting his first game since October after a neck injury, slotted the opening penalty in the tenth minute when Warriors broke the offside line when driven back to their tryline.

James Hart missed a second penalty attempt eight minutes later from distance, but Munster had the momentum and were able to build on it before the interval.

Next up the Munster pack pushed a rolling maul over the Glasgow line, and after a consultation with his TMO, Italian referee Marius Mitrea awarded the try.

Scannell claimed it and Bleyendaal’s conversion gave Munster a commanding 10-0 advantage in the 25th minute, while the New Zealander’s second penalty gave Munster a comfortable cushion.

Adam Hastings was on target for Glasgow three minutes into the second-half, and then Munster looked slightly vulnerable when George Horne scored after some loose defending in the build up.

With Hastings adding the extras the margin was reduced to three points, but James Cronin scored almost immediately after the restart following some quick thinking play from Rhys Marshall at the ruck, and Cronin was on hand to dart out of the blocks and pounce on the loose ball.

Calvin Nash almost scored but he put a toe in touch, and it was left for the impressive Bleyendaal to make sure of the win in the 62nd minute.

Guinness PRO14 Round 16 Round-up: Billy Holland captained the side on his 180th appearance for the province.

Academy winger Calvin Nash took the place of Andrew Conway in the starting line-up while Darren Sweetnam was added to the replacements.

Chris Cloete was forced to retire early through injury, and went to hospital after sustaining a knock to his arm in the opening minutes of second half. Niall Scannell will need to be assessed further for a knock he sustained.

Robin Copeland was awarded the man of the match.

Munster: S Zebo; C Nash (D Sweetnam 78), S Arnold, D Goggin, A Wootton; T Bleyendaal (I Keatley 67), J Hart (D Williams 78); J Cronin (D Kilcoyne 67), N Scannell (R Marshall 43), S Archer (B Scott 74); J Kleyn, B Holland; D O’Callaghan, C Cloete (J O’Donoghue 48), R Copeland (G Grobler 74).

Video | Simon Zebo played his last game in Cork and we heard from the fullback following the win.