Munster claim bonus point despite derby defeat to Leinster

DESPITE an impressive opening quarter, Munster fell to a 24-18 defeat against Leinster in their United Rugby Championship clash at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday night.

While the visitors were on the backfoot for virtually all the second half, Clayton McMillan’s side left the capital with a losing bonus point courtesy of Ben O’Connor’s late try.

Thirteen points to the good after half an hour, the hosts replied with 24 unanswered to score a bonus point win of their own.

Charlie O’Shea kicked the visitors into the lead in the seventh minute in what was a tense opening quarter in Dublin.

With Leinster not able to get things going in attack an wonderful turnover from Gavin Coombes relieved the pressure and allowed Munster to clear their lines.

Clayton McMillan’s side then scored the first time of the night, an exceptional finish from Shane Daly helping the men in red to a 10-point lead.

O’Shea then kicked a penalty from just inside his own half to extend the lead further.

This, however, was the catalyst to spur a Leinster revival.

Jamison Gibson-Park gave an exquisite pass to Tommy O’Brien who crossed to get his side on the board late in the first half.

Despite an extended period of pressure before the half-time whistle, the Munster defence held firm and the underdogs held on for a 13-5 interval lead.

The hosts started the second half on the front foot. Munster conceded a number of penalties and were under pressure - from both their opponents and the referee who was beginning to lose patience.

As Leinster knocked on the door, McMillan’s side continued to stand firm. After a lengthy TMO check, the home side thought they had scored - Munster thought there was a knock on. Referee Andrew Brace said it was inconclusive and the men in blue kept possession.

Leinster kept knocking on the door and eventually Ryan Baird crossed. To add to the Munster pain, Alex Nankivell was given a yellow card for an infringement in the build up.

The conversion made it a one point game - but while the visitors had the lead, Leinster had all the momentum.

Eventually this momentum caused the dam to break and Charlie Tector crossed after phases of sustained pressure - and Leinster had their first lead with 63 minutes on the clock.

There was a lengthy delay to proceedings after Shane Daly sustained a nasty-looking injury while trying to make a tackle. Daly left the field on a stretcher.

Soon after the resumption, Leinster scored their fourth try. Jamie Osborne supplied the finish to secure the bonus point. Former Munster player Joey Carbery knocked over the conversion as Leinster saw out the win.

However, there was some consolation as O’Connor secured a losing bonus point for Munster with a late try with the clock in the red.

MUNSTER: Ben O’Connor; Shay McCarthy, Sean O’Brien (Gordon Wood, 38 mins), Alex Nankivell, Shane Daly (Charlie O’Shea, 69 mins), Charlie O’Shea (JJ Hanrahan, 64 mins), Craig Casey (Ben O'Donovan, 64 mins); Josh Wycherley (Mark Donnelly, 56 mins), Marnus van der Merwe (Max Clein, 74 mins), Kieran Brookes (Michael Ala'alatoa, 60 mins); Fineen Wycherley, Tadhg Beirne; Jack O’Donoghue, Alex Kendellen (Sean Edogbo, 58 mins), Gavin Coombes (Brian Gleeson, 58 mins).

LEINSTER: Hugo Keenan, Tommy O’Brien (Fintan Gunne, 68 mins), Jamie Osborne, Robbie Henshaw, Jimmy O’Brien (Charlie Tector, h-t); Joey Carbery (Caspar Gabriel, 74 mins), Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter (Alex Usanov, 74 mins), Ronan Kelleher (Gus McCarthy, 61 mins), Tadhg Furlong (Tom Clarkson, 61 mins); Joe McCarthy, James Ryan (Conor O'Tighearnaigh, 68 mins); Ryan Baird, Josh Van Der Flier (Scott Penny, 67 mins), Dan Sheehan.

Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU).