Munster Rugby maintain perfect start to URC season with hard fought win over Connacht

MUNSTER Rugby extended their winning start to the URC season to five games with a hard fought 17-15 interprovincial derby win over Connacht in front of an attendance of 16,512 at Thomond Park on Saturday evening.

Both sides scored three tries, just one of which was converted by Munster's JJ Hanrahan in the opening half which ultimately proved the difference in the end.

The result leaves 2023 URC winners Munster joint-top of the table with the Stormers as the URC takes a break for the autumn internationals.

The game saw exciting young Limerick scrum-half Jake O'Riordan make his senior debut for Munster when sprung from the bench in the second half of the content. 

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Both sides were without their Ireland internationals who have crossed the Atlantic to prepare for next Saturday's test fixture against New Zealand. The Munster absentee list included captain Tadhg Beirne, Tom Ahern, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley and late call-up Tom Farrell.

Munster opened the scoring on 14 minutes against Connacht. Diarmuid Kilgallen, who was one of those making his first appearance of the season from the province, created an opening with a break and the ball was spread to the opposite wing where Man of the Match Alex Nankivell put captain Jack O'Donoghue over.

Visitors Connacht hit back quickly and out-half Josh Ioane popped a deft reverse offload to winger Byron Ralston who scampered over.

Ioane was again the creator for Ralston, as the play-maker threw a perfect pass out to the winger who had a simple finish to help Connacht into a 10-5 lead.

However, back came Munster and Ioane's attempted pass just inside the Munster half was read perfectly by Kilgallen who intercepted and raced clear for the score. Hanrahan added the extras to put Munster back into the lead at 12-10.

There was still time for another try and it came to the visitors as the TMO Paul Boyle had managed to ground the ball when driving after the referee Andrea Piardi was unsure.

Connacht took a 15-12 lead into the dressing room at half-time. 

Munster held the upperhand in terms of possession during the second period and their endeavour was finally rewarded  in the 67th minute when captain O'Donoghue powered over for his second score of the night as the lead changed for the fourth and final time at 17-15.

Connacht had one final opportunity late on to snatch victory as they looked to march upfield from inside their own half. However, Munster halted their progress to seal an important victory following the excellent derby win over Leinster at Croke Park a week earlier.

Munster, who take a break from URC action until the end of November, switch their focus to a friendly fixture with an Argentina XV back at Thomond Park on Saturday next, 5pm.

MUNSTER RUGBY: Shane Daly; Diarmuid Kilgallen, Dan Kelly, Alex Nankivell, Thaakir Abrahams; JJ Hanrahan, Ethan Coughlan; Michael Milne, Lee Barron, John Ryan; Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley; Jack O'Donoghue (capt), John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes. Replacements: Shay McCarthy for Abrahams (HIA, 16 mins, Ruadhan Quinn for Hodnett (46 mins), Jeremy Loughman for Milne, Niall Scannell for Barron (both 56 mins), Evan O'Connell for Wycherley (59 mins), Tony Butler for Hanrahan, Jake O'Riordan for Coughlan (both 62 mins, Lee Barron for Scannell (HIA, 645 mins), Ronan Foxe for John Ryan (65 mins), JJ Hanrahan for Nankivell (HIA, 78 mins).

CONNACHT: Harry West; Byron Ralston, Hugh Gavin, Cathal Forde, Finn Treacy; Josh Ioane, Ben Murphy; Jordan Duggan, Dave Heffernan, Sam Illo; Joe Joyce, Darragh Murray; Josh Murphy, Paul Boyle (capt), Sean Jansen. Replacements: Sean Naughton for Treaty (HIA, 10 mins), Niall Murray for Joyce (injured, 33 mins), Sean O'Brien for Jansen (half-time), Matthew Devine for Ralston (injured, 43 mins), Peter Dooley for Duggan, Fiachna Barrett for Illo (boht 50 mins), Dylan Tierney-Martin for Heffernan (62 mns), David O'Connor for Boyle (68 mins). 

REFEREE: Andrea Piardi (FIR).