Munster secured a bonus point win in an Interpro derby thriller at Thomond Park
Despite Ulster’s perfect start with Stuart McCloskey scoring in the first ten minutes it was Munster that led at half-time. There was just a score in it as the men in red led 24-20, with tries from Mike Milne, Tom Farrell, Tadhg Beirne and Niall Scannell.
The second half was a hugely physical display, but Munster came out on top adding a further fourteen points with a second try from Farrell as well as one from Munster legend Peter O’Mahony.
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Munster start their round 17 campaign off with a period of attacking play but gave away a penalty at the halfway line. The visitors kicked to corner allowing centre McCloskey the score, Murphy converted giving Ulster the perfect start after just seven minutes.
Mike Milne got Munster’s first points on the board. The hosts battled through the Ulster defence for the prop to score his first try for the province. The conversion went just wide, 5-7.
A high tackle from Scott Wilson on Gavin Coombes went to the TMO and the Ulstermen went to fourteen men. Even with a player in the sinbin, Munster were unable to capitalise. Ulster won a penalty and opted for the posts, they added three more to their tally, leaving the score 5-10.
A true team try came with Farrell getting Munsters second. The ball was spun wide from Thaakir Abrahams to O’Mahony, the flanker making a superb step inside before passing on the ball to Farrell who dotted down. Crowley missed the conversion, which brought the score square, 10-10.
Ulster struck back almost immediately after Farrell’s try with outside centre Jude Postlethwaite sailing over in the corner, Murphy converted.
A third try in six minutes came from Tadhg Beirne, who had blocked a kick when Ulster tried to clear the ball. He reacted straightaway collecting the ball and scoring Munster’s fourth. Jack Crowley slotted the conversion, 17-17.
Just before the half time whistle hooker Scannell got down for Munster’s fourth and bonus point try from a driving maul. Crowely split the uprights, Munster leading for the first time in the game, 24-17. Ulster secured another three points with the clock in the red, the hosts led at the break.
Munster started the second 40 in possession where Beirne won a huge turnover penalty. Crowley kicked to corner, the crowd roaring behind them. A pick and go was eventually spilt forward returning possession back to the visitors deep in their 22.
A superb passage of play from an initial turnover by Coombes in midfield put Munster back on the attacking foot. A yellow card was given to McCloskey for cynical play at the breakdown, and Crowley kicked to corner. From there Tom Farrell found the space under the posts for his second try of the match. Crowley converted, 31-20.
A cross-field kick from Jack Crowley out onto the wing was scooped up by Peter O’Mahony in the air before the Cork man got down for Munster’s try number six just before the 60-minute mark, 38-20. Thomond Park absolutely erupted!
Fineen Wycherley replaced Peter O’Mahony to a rapturous applause and standing ovation from supporters. It was a similar story as John Ryan came on for Munster’s most capped player ever, Stephen Archer, and later Conor Murray for Craig Casey in what is his last game for the province.
Josh Wycherley was sinbinned with ten minutes to go for repeat offences and the second 40 finished with a Munster win.
Munster: Thaakir Abrahams; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Diarmuid Kilgallen; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey (Conor Murray ’65); Michael Milne (Josh Wycherley ‘55), Niall Scannell (Lee Barron ‘55), Stephen Archer (John Ryan ’63); Jean Kleyn (Tom Ahern ’48), Tadhg Beirne (C) (Sean O’Brien ’77); Peter O’Mahony (Fineen Wycherley ’60), John Hodnett (Alex Kendellen ’55), Gavin Coombes (Michael Milne ’68, Gavin Coombes ‘77).
Replacements: Lee Barron, Josh Wycherley, John Ryan, Fineen Wycherley, Tom Ahern, Conor Murray, Seán O’Brien, Alex Kendellen.
Round 17 Round up
Tom Farrell was the URC BKT Player of the Match.
Munster scored six tries.
