Munster 27
Connacht 14
Ryan Bailey reports from Thomond Park
DEVELOPMENTS ELSEWHERE QUICKLY contrived to make this end-of-season inter-pro a glorified warm-up for the serious business to come, as Munster — despite a commanding victory here — had to settle for a second-place finish in Conference A.
Johann van Graan’s side did what was asked of them by securing four points against a Connacht side keeping their powder dry for a quarter-final of their own, but Glasgow Warrior’s victory over Edinburgh means Munster face a longer, and altogether tougher, route to Pro14 glory.
Beirne crashes over for Munster’s first try. Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO
The southern province will host Benetton in next Saturday’s quarter-final, with the winner of that tie going on to face Conference B winners Leinster at the RDS in the last four. A repeat of last year’s thrilling semi-final derby is now very much on the cards.
Munster will go into the play-offs with concerns over the fitness of Conor Murray, who was a late withdrawal from tonight’s game after taking a knock to his neck during the pre-match warm-up. Van Graan was, understandably, not prepared to task any risks.
Even without Murray, the hosts had too much firepower for Andy Friend’s side as first-half tries from man of the match Tadhg Beirne and Mike Haley set Munster on their way as they picked themselves up from last week’s European heartache in Coventry.
Coming to Thomond Park with a reconfigured side and one eye on the serious business in Belfast next weekend, this was always going to be a tough task for Connacht, who rested many of their front-liners and then withdrew the likes of Bundee Aki, captain Jarrad Butler and Finlay Bealham early in the second period.
The visitors started with plenty of intent and no shortage of motivation as they chased their fifth straight Pro14 victory, having not achieved that feat since 2016, but after taking the lead through Bealham’s first-half try, had left themselves with too much to do after the interval.
Even in defeat, Connacht can take plenty of positives from this showing, not least their spirited second-half performance as they briefly brought it back to a one-score game through Eoin McKeon’s hard-earned try.
There were also excellent individual cameos from the returning Bealham and Kieran Marmion, while 21-year-old out-half Conor Dean was composed in the pivot on his senior debut.
For Munster, this was a useful work-out ahead of the visit of Benetton but van Graan’s side will know they’ll need to move up through the gears in the weeks to come if they are to end their eight-year wait for silverware.
They weren’t helped by the loss of Murray minutes before kick-off, but his replacement, Neil Cronin, was quick to seize his starting opportunity. The Garryowen nine was a lively performer and his quick and quality service allowed the hosts establish a 17-7 half-time advantage.
Bundee Aki is tackled by Peter O’Mahony. Source: James Crombie/INPHO
Van Graan’s side could, and should, have led by more at the break had it not been for Andrew Conway’s howler, with the Munster winger spurning a gilt-edged opportunity after intercepting Tiernan O’Halloran.
Conway will not want to see the replay too many times, as Stephen Fitzgerald — the former Munster man — got back to knock the ball out of his hands before the Ireland international dotted down.
Beirne and Haley made sure of their first-half tries, as the southern province rebounded strongly after Bealham — back after a nasty hand injury — had handed Connacht a 23rd-minute lead.
Out-half Dean showed a couple of confident early touches in the opening exchanges, including a perfectly-judged kick into the corner, but two missed penalties in the first 40 cost the visitors after Friend’s side had enjoyed large tracts of possession and territory.