A dramatic Rory Scannell penalty from 55 metres in the final play saw Munster secure a dramatic comeback win over Glasgow Warriors at Thomond Park in the Guinness PRO14 on Saturday evening.
Munster trailed 24-10 as the game entered the final 15 minutes but tries from Alex Wootton and Man of the Match Alby Mathewson got Munster back in it with Ian Keatley adding a conversion.
Despite those two tries, Munster still trailed by two points as the game drew to a close with Glasgow in possession but excellent work at the breakdown won the penalty and Scannell was the hero with a perfectly struck penalty.
A late change to the Munster side saw Darren Sweetnam replace Andrew Conway on the right wing as Alex Wootton came into the replacements.
After a fractious opening, Munster took the lead after nine minutes through a James Cronin try.
The score was created after excellent work in midfield from Rory Scannell and Hanrahan sent Earls racing through a gap.
The winger found Mike Haley in space and although the full-back was tackled, Munster were eventually awarded a penalty for a Glasgow offside.
The kick went to the corner and Munster’s forwards took care of the rest with Cronin barging over from close range with John Ryan in support.
Hanrahan added the conversion and Munster led 7-0 after nine minutes.
Munster were on top but failed to take advantage with Glasgow hitting back with a rapid counter-attack.
George Horne dotted down in the left corner despite the best efforts of Earls and Peter Horne missed the touchline conversion as Munster remained 7-5 in front.
Peter Horne missed a shot at goal before Glasgow took the lead after a slick backline move sent George Horne over for his second try.
This time Peter Horne made no mistake and Glasgow led 12-7 at the interval.
Glasgow made a strong start to the second half and were nearly over in the right corner but a last second intervention from Peter O’Mahony and Billy Holland.
Unfortunately, Chris Cloete was sent to the sin bin for a tackle off the ball and Munster were down to 14 for 10 minutes.
Glasgow took advantage of the extra man to score their third try after two dominant scrums with no.8 Matt Fagerson scoring.
The conversion was missed and Munster trailed 17-7 after 50 minutes.
A brilliant Hanrahan break from halfway very nearly got Munster back in it but last-ditch Glasgow defence saw the out-half held up over the line.
A huge effort from the seven-man Munster pack won a penalty off the Glasgow scrum with Hanrahan kicking his first penalty to move Munster within seven as Cloete returned.
Glasgow were over for the bonus-point try just before the hour as George Horne chipped over the top for Peter Horne to score with Brandon Thomson’s conversion making it 24-10 to the visitors.
A well-judged crossfield kick from replacement Ian Keatley got Munster back on the front foot and the comeback started on 66 minutes.
Earls and Haley put Wootton away to finish well in the left corner and reduce the arrears to nine points with Keatley’s touchline conversion wide.
The crowd were really getting behind the team now and after a period of huge pressure, Alby Mathewson did brilliantly to snipe over from close range.
Keatley added the extras and the score was 24-22 in Glasgow’s favour with six minutes remaining.
Glasgow looked to play out the final minutes near halfway but Munster managed to win a penalty at the breakdown towards the right flank.
It looked too far out to go for goal but Scannell stepped up to land a monster effort from 55 metres to secure a dramatic last-gasp victory with his team-mates mobbing him as the final whistle blew.
Munster: Mike Haley; Darren Sweetnam, Sammy Arnold (Alex Wootton, 38), Rory Scannell, Keith Earls; JJ Hanrahan (Ian Keatley, 61), Alby Mathewson (Neil Cronin, 77); James Cronin (Dave Kilcoyne, 45), Niall Scannell, John Ryan (Stephen Archer, 57); Jean Kleyn (Fineen Wycherley, 77), Billy Holland; Peter O’Mahony (C), Chris Cloete (Arno Botha, 60), CJ Stander.
Highlights
WATCH:
Full-time highlights from a sensational game at Thomond Park as Munster seal victory with the last kick of the game. #GuinnessPRO14 pic.twitter.com/e1B4XkcBRi
— eir Sport (@eirSport) October 27, 2018
Video | Rory Scannell Interview
Guinness PRO14 Round 7 Round-Up
Alby Mathewson was awarded Man of the Match.
Sammy Arnold departed in the first half for a HIA.
Munster travel to South Africa on Monday ahead of next weekend’s game against the Cheetahs.
Next Home Game
Friday, November 30
Guinness PRO14: Munster v Edinburgh, Irish Independent Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here