Munster secured a seven-try 45-5 victory over London Irish in the season opener at Irish Independent Park on Friday night.
Eight Greencore Munster Rugby Academy players featured with debuts for new signing Nick McCarthy and Academy players Thomas Ahern, Jack O’Sullivan, John Hodnett, Ben Healy and Keynan Knox.
The tries came from Dan Goggin (two), O’Sullivan, Mike Haley, JJ Hanrahan, Diarmuid Barron and Liam Coombes touched down with debutant O’Sullivan and Barron scoring their first tries for the province.
Tyler Bleyendaal (one) and Hanrahan (four) added five conversions between them.
A further positive saw James Cronin make a welcome return from injury for his first appearance since November.
A fantastic crowd of 5,678 attended the clash with Munster away to Connacht next week in their second pre-season fixture as the Guinness PRO14 kicks off at Thomond Park against Dragons on Saturday, September 28 (3pm). Buy tickets here.
Munster led 7-0 at the break after an evenly-fought first half with defences firmly on top. Goggin showed great footwork to score in the left corner and captain Tyler Bleyendaal landed the touchline conversion for a 7-0 lead at the interval.
HALF-TIME: Munster 7-0 London Irish
Here is Munster’s opening try of the 2019/20 season as Dan Goggin does superbly to cross with Tyler Bleyendaal nailing the conversion.#MUNvLIR #SUAF pic.twitter.com/MYlsZELqWV
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) September 13, 2019
Munster made 13 changes at the break with only Goggin and Calvin Nash the only players to keep their places.
O’Sullivan made the dream start to his debut as the back-row forward broke clear down the left wing and sold a superb dummy to score. JJ Hanrahan converted but Matty Williams hit back almost immediately for Irish as he picked up a loose ball to score.
160 seconds into his senior debut, Academy back-row forward Jack O’Sullivan produces this to score Munster’s second try of the night! 🔥 🔥🔥#MUNvLIR pic.twitter.com/AxpkM97puH
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) September 13, 2019
Munster ramped up the pressure and streaked clear with Haley scoring after a well-worked 8-9 move off a scrum by O’Sullivan and Craig Casey.
Jack O’Sullivan ➡️ Craig Casey ➡️ Mike Haley ➡️ TRY 3️⃣#MUNvLIR pic.twitter.com/Q84QbZ9Szd
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) September 13, 2019
Goggin scored his second try after catching the loose ball after Hanrahan attempted to find Shane Daly with a crossfield kick and Hanrahan scored Munster’s fifth try after Fineen Wycherley was halted just short of the line.
Barron burrowed his way over for his first Munster try and Liam Coombes streaked away to score Munster’s seventh late on to cap a fine first outing.
FULL-TIME: Munster 45-5 London Irish
A great night’s work at Irish Independent Park as we run in 7️⃣ tries, including this Dan Goggin effort!
8️⃣ Academy players played their part with 6️⃣ debuts on the night! #MUNvLIR #SUAF 🔴 pic.twitter.com/3vLSZ7c6dC
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) September 13, 2019
