It was close but Munster scrape victory in McHale Park

Connacht 24 v Munster 30
Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, Mayo

What a thrilling finish! Trailing for most of the game, Connacht decided to run the ball at every chance and it nearly paid off. It was 5-18 at half time in favour of Munster but within minutes of the re-start scrum half Caolin Blade dotted down and Josh Ioane’s conversion gave the home side hope. Munster replied from the re-start and after some great work by the forwards, Jack Crowley scampered over and converted his try to put his side 12-25 ahead. It seemed at that stage that Munster, who had  added another try, by Diarmuid Barron, were home and dried.

Connacht found new life, running the ball from every opportunity and they cut the lead to 19-30 when Sean Jansen, stormed over and JJ Hanrahan added the extras. The packed home attendance were awoken. A brilliant 22/50 kick by Mack Hansen brought play to within five meters of the try line and Sean Hansen scored another try. The conversion was crucial but this time JJ Hanrahan’s kick came back off the upright. The final stagers must have had the Munster coaches eating their fingers. Hanrahan’s kick gave Connacht a great attacking chance but Jean Kleyn marked his return with a crucial lineout steal.

Munster led 5-18 at half time thanks to tries by Tom Ahern and Craig Casey and a conversion and two penalties to Connacht’s lone score by number eight Sean Jansen.  a try by scrum half Caolin Blade after a fine break by Bundee Aki. Munster suffered a blow on 25 minutes when Alex Nankivell was shown a red card after a dangerous tackle.

The result will give Munster a comfortable sitting in the URC table and will give them great confidence for the Investec game for the trip to France next week against La Rochelle.

Connacht: Mack Hansen, Chay Mullins, Hugh Gavin, Bundee Aki, Finn Treacy, Josh Ioane, Caolin Blade, Jordan Duggan, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham, Joe Joyce, Darragh Murray, Cian Prendergast (CAPT), Shamus Hurley-Langton, Sean Jansen
Replacements: Dylan Tierney-Martin, Denis Buckley, Jack Aungier, Josh Murphy, Paul Boyle, Matthew Devine, JJ Hanrahan, Santiago Cordero
Munster: Ben O’Connor; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Seán O’Brien; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey, Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron, Oli Jager, Fineen Wycherley, Tadhg Beirne (CAPT), Tom Ahern, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes
Replacements: Niall Scannell, Josh Wycherley, Stephen Archer, Jean Kleyn, Ruadhán Quinn, Conor Murray, Rory Scannell, Alex Kendellen

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