Munster continued their unbeaten start to the season after a nail-biting finish secured a 20-18 victory over Connacht in a keenly contested Interprovincial battle.

A quick start from Connacht saw the westerners race into a 0-6 lead thanks to two penalties from Jack Carty.

Munster responded just before half-time thanks to a try from Chris Cloete which was excellently converted by Joey Carbery.

Carbery nudged Munster further in front with a penalty on 48 minutes but tries from Connacht’s Paul Boyle and Jack Carty looked to have secured a win for the visitors.

However, a try on the stroke of full-time from Diarmuid Barron levelled the scoring before Carbery’s conversion sealed a two-point margin of victory.

In the opening minutes of tonight’s Interprovincial clash it was Andy Friend’s side that made the early yards with the visitors breaking through the Munster midfield following a lineout on the halfway line.

Mack Hansen was brought to ground in the Munster 22 before the referee awarded a penalty for a breakdown infringement. Carty knocked over the penalty from in front of the posts to give his side an early 0-3 lead.

Munster responded well with Simon Zebo making yards before play was brought into the visitors’ 22’ when Dave Kilcoyne set John Ryan rampaging free with an offload although the move broke down on the next phase due to a forward pass.

Some excellent work from Zebo to prevent a 50:22 unfortunately didn’t stop Connacht from adding to their advantage. The westerners added another three points when Chris Cloete was penalised for not releasing at a ruck.

With the midway point of the first half approaching, Munster started to dominate possession and territory but were undone by some good Connacht defensive work at the setpiece and at the breakdown.

Connacht responded with a period of possession deep in Munster territory but some excellent defence forced Connacht to play the ball forward which allowed Johann van Graan’s side an opportunity to relieve the pressure.

Some good work at the breakdown allowed Munster to bring play deep into the Connacht 22 but a promising position was scuppered at the setpiece when the visitors managed to win back possession from what was originally a Munster put in to the lineout.

With half-time approaching, Sammy Arnold received a yellow card for a high tackle on Mike Haley and Munster made the man advantage count when a lovely crossfield kick from Rory Scannell saw Tadhg Beirne kick the ball ahead on the half-volley before Chris Cloete was able to touch down in the corner after winning the foot race.

Cloete’s try was brilliantly converted by Joey Carbery which gave Munster a 7-6 lead going into the break.

Cloete was almost in for his second try on the resumption but the South African flanker we held up over the line in a move which started with a powerful lineout drive. Munster continued to press but Connacht’s Paul Boyle was able to secure a vital turnover under his side’s own posts to relieve the pressure Munster were piling on.

Van Graan’s men were able to add to their one-point advantage on the 48th minute when Munster received possession from an overthrown Connacht lineout. The Westerners infringed at the subsequent breakdown which allowed Carbery an opportunity to kick three points in front of the posts.

Connacht were soon back in front, however. Number eight Paul Boyle touched down from a quick-tap 5m out from the Munster line. Carty’s conversion hit the right-hand upright and went wide so the visitors took a one point lead with 53 minutes on the clock.

Munster didn’t take long to regain the lead. Connacht infringed during a powerful Munster maul which allowed Carbery the opportunity to kick another three points.

The see-saw nature of the match continued when Jack Carty put his side ahead when he blocked down a Carbery clearance kick to score under the posts. The gimme conversion saw Connacht take a 13-18 lead entering the final 10 minutes.

In the final minutes, Munster upped the intensity as Connacht conceded multiple penalties close to their own line before the pressure finally told as Diarmuid Barron crossed the line from close-range.

With the match tied at 18-18, Carbery stepped up to land the conversion which secured the win and ensured Munster’s unbeaten start to the season continues.

Munster: Mike Haley; Andrew Conway, Keith Earls, Rory Scannell (Goggin 56’), Simon Zebo; Joey Carbery, Craig Casey; Dave Kilcoyne (Loughman 54’), Niall Scannell (Barron 54’), John Ryan (Archer 54’); Jean Kleyn (Wycherley 59’), Tadhg Beirne; Peter O’Mahony (C), Chris Cloete (O’Donoghue 67′), Gavin Coombes.

United Rugby Championship Round 4 Round-Up

17,198 supporters were in attendance in what was our biggest crowd of the season so far.

The Thomond Park crowd paid tribute to the late Anthony Foley before the game with a standing ovation on what was the fifth anniversary of the Munster and Ireland legend’s tragic passing.

Captain Peter O’Mahony earned his 150th cap for the province.

Munster’s unbeaten start to the season continues with four wins from four.

The Munster Senior Women’s team were honoured at half-time for their Interprovincial title win last month.