Munsters' secure AIL semi-final spot with derby win

YOUNG Munster secured their place in the semi-finals of this season’s Ulster Bank League thanks to a hard-earned 14-8 derby victory over Garryowen before a bumper crowd at Dooradoyle on Friday night.

A late intercept try from winger Michael Vaughan and three penalty goals from the boot of out-half Gearoid Lyons steered second-placed Munsters to a deserved victory.

The Clifford Park side will now set their sights on secure home advantage in their semi-final play-off with just one regular season game to come, a home fixture with Lansdowne on April 16.

The defeat ends Garryowen’s chances of making the play-offs this season.

The sides had been deadlocked 3-3 at half-time, with Lyons and Garryowen scrum-half Neil Cronin swapping penalty goals as defences held the upperhand.

Two further Lyons penalties steered Munsters’ into a 9-3 lead after 73 minutes, before Vaughan raced over from the half-way line as Garryowen chased the game late on.

The ‘Light Blues’ did secure a losing bonus point late on thanks to a well-taken try from full-back Alex Wootton.