A dark night for Munster as Leinster truly shine
- Updated: 27/12/2024
Munster 7 Leinster 28
Thomond Park, Limerick
IT was like the ‘good old days’ in Thomond Park. Perfect conditions for rugby, a record attedance and a derby game that certainly promised. By the end of the game the stadium went silent as the unbeaten visitors celebrated a deserved URC victory. Leinster struck first, Luke McGrath racing over after nine minutes and Sam Prendergast adding the two points. Munster tried to respond from the re-start but they spoiled the chance with a knock-on. Urged on by the home crowd, Munster had three chances to open their account when they forced lineouts on the 22 but the Leinster defence stood firm. As the penalty count rose, referee Chris Lough pointed to Tommy O’Brien who was shown a yellow card.
Down to 14, Leinster enjoyed a good splell as the clock crept up to 30 minutes,forcing a scrum on the home 22 and after a few re-sets of scrum and drive Sam Prendergast raced away to touch down and his conversion saw Leinster increase their lead to 14-0 seven minutes befrore half time. Leinster had to show their defensive qualities as the clock neared half time but they would have been happy at the break with that two try lead.
A big and better effort was required from the home side in the second half but it was difficult to see how they could turn it around. They needed the next score. It came with a touch down by Tom Farrell, Billy Burns converted and the home side were back in the game. It was not long for Leinster to reply, Josh vander Flier scoring and a fourth try by skipper Caelan Doris, converted by Ross Byrne, made this a night to forget for the home support.
Referee: Sam Grove-White (SRU, 49th league game)
AR 1: Keane Davison (IRFU) AR 2: Chris Lough (IRFU)
TMO: Mike Adamson (SRU)
Live on: TG4, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Munster: Mike Haley, Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Rory Scannell, Shane Daly, Billy Burns, Ethan Coughlan, Dian Bleuler, Niall Scannell, Oli Jager, Fineen Wycherley, Tadhg Beirne (c), Tom Ahern, Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes: Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, Kieran Ryan, John Ryan, Brian Gleeson, John Hodnett, Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler, Ben O’Connor
Leinster: Jamie Osborne, Tommy O’Brien, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, Jimmy O’Brien, Sam Prendergast, Luke McGrath, Jack Boyle, Ronan Kelleher, Rabah Slimani, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (c). Replacements: Lee Barron, Andrew Porter, Cian Healy, Brian Deeny, Scott Penny, Fintan Gunne, Ross Byrne, Jordan Larmour
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