Munster lose to Bath in first pre-season friendly

Despite three tries in the first half from John Hodnett, Shay McCarthy and Diarmuid Barron, Bath edged Munster out with a dominant second half.

Next up for Munster is the second friendly at Virgin Media Park in Cork next Friday against Gloucester, 6^th September, 7pm. Buy tickets here.

Munster came out of the blocks quickly as a ducking and diving Shay McCarthy got close to the line, with a try coming soon after. Ethan Coughlan passed out to John Hodnett getting the first score after just six minutes. Billy Burns got his first points in a Munster shirt as he split the uprights leaving the scoreboard 7-0.

Bath returned with a try of their own just a few minutes later, after 22-year-old winger Austin Emens made the most of their 50:22, crossing over in the corner. Orlando Bailey converted to leave the score even, 7-7.

Munster went down to fourteen men after Gavin Coombes was given a yellow card, allowing the hosts to exploit the weakened Munster side. Bath’s Jasper Spandler scored an almost instantly with their conversion going wide, 12-7.

Munster’s second try from Shay McCarthy came after a lineout maul got them within a metre of the line, and despite being down a man, the winger used his footwork and pace to dive over. Billy Burns added the extras to make the score, 14-12.

Both sides came within touching distance of scoring, with Captain Diarmuid Barron getting over just before the half-time whistle for try number three. Burns’ boot converted leaving Munster in the lead at the break.

In the second half Bath came out with renewed energy, a new set of players, and dominated in possession.

They scored twice in quick succession, with tries from Jaco Coetzee and Tyler Offiah. Finn Russell uncharacteristically missed the first conversion but successfully slotted the second. Bath took the lead 24 – 21, Munster leaving twelve unanswered points.

Neither side were able to capitalise on their attacking play for the final quarter, with Bath’s strong defence making it difficult for Munster. The ball was held up on the Munster try line in the dying minutes and Bath took the win for the first pre-season friendly of the 24/25 Season.

Munster: Patrick Campbell (Mike Haley ‘50); Liam Coombes (Seán O’Brien ’63), Tom Farrell, Seán O’Brien (Bryan Fitzgerald ’51), Shay McCarthy (Diarmuid Kilgallen ’56) ; Billy Burns (Tony Butler ‘40), Ethan Coughlan (Jack Oliver ’51, Luca Cleary ‘71); Jeremy Loughman (Josh Wycherley ’49), Diarmuid Barron (Niall Scannell ’49, Max Clein ’74), John Ryan (Stephen Archer ’49, Ronan Foxe ‘74); Gavin Coombes (Yellow ’20), Fineen Wycherley (Conor Ryan ’59); Ruadhán Quinn (Jack Daly ’14), John Hodnett (Alex Kendellen ’40), Jack O’Donoghue.

Replacements: Josh Wycherley, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer, Jack Oliver, Tony Butler, Max Clein, Jack Daly, Ronan Foxe, Conor Ryan, Alex Kendellen, Luca Cleary, Mike Haley, Diarmuid Kilgallen, Scott Buckley, Bryan Fitzgerald.

Tries: John Hodnett, Shay McCarthy, Diarmuid Barron.

Cons: Billy Burns (3)

Attendance: 9603

Bath Friendly Round-up

Debuts for new signings Billy Burns, Tom Farrell Diarmuid Kilgallen and Bryan Fitzgerald.

First Academy appearances for Jack Oliver and Ronan Foxe.

First appearances for Club Players Luca Cleary and Conor Ryan.