Munster honour Anthony Foley's memory with Champions Cup with over Racing

ON A poignant night in Cork, Munster Rugby got their European Champions Cup campaign off to a winning start, defeating Racing 33-25 on Saturday night.

The occasion marked the 10th anniversary of former head coach and club legend Anthony Foley’s death - the beloved Shannon man passing away the night before a European clash against the French Top 14 side in 2016.

In another reminder of what really matters, there was a minute's silence before the game for Hyron Andrews, the Lions player who tragically passed away on Friday, on the eve of his side’s opening round clash with La Rochelle.

Off-field controversies about playing the game in SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaiomh departed as a Munster team with young players making their debuts at this level, finding their feet quickly.

Academy out-half Charlie O’Shea and flanker Seán Edogbo made their first Champions Cup appearances from the start and didn’t look out of place.

The French flair was there for all in Racing’s first attack, the French side playing the ball through the hands and offloading to try and make an early breakthrough. However, the Parisians will surely admit, they didn’t show enough of this over the 80 minutes.

They had to be content with Antoine Gibert kicking a third-minute penalty to put the visitors in front.

Munster’s first attack looked promising. Charlie O’Shea’s chip kick resulted in a five-metre scrum. From here, it only took a few phases for the men in red to cross the line.

Fittingly it was Brian Gleeson at the back of the scrum - wearing 24 as Anthony Foley’s number 8 was retired for the night - who touched down to give the province the lead before O’Shea added the extras.

It was clear that Munster were in inspired form when Shay McCarthy quickly added a second try for Clayton McMillan’s men. The St Munchin's College and Young Munster man also showed his strength evading the tackle of Racing full-back Geronimo Prisciantelli.

From a tricky angle, O’Shea showed he too was on his form knocking over the conversion.

From the next attack, the province won a penalty and in a show of intent, kicked to the corner. While Racing were able to clear the danger on this occasion, Munster were determined to make the most of the momentum they had from an impressive opening quarter.

Midway through the half, the French side got some bit of territory going. This resulted in Gibert’s second penalty to keep the Top 14 men in touch.

Munster had to be resolute in defence as they were camped in their ‘22 for a number of minutes.

They escaped the period on the backfoot with the try-line intact. As soon as they got back on the other end of the Paric Ui Chaoimh pitch, they were hunting for tries again.

Craig Casey opted for a quick-tap penalty with a relatively straight-forward three points were on offer. As the attack broke down, you could be forgiven for being nervous that the hosts only put up 14 points in a first half where there were the better side for long portions. Another penalty with the clock in the red went to touch but Seán Edogbo couldn’t claim the line out and the chance came and went.

Not long after the restart, the McMillan’s charges did cross the line again. Team captain Tadhg Beirne crossed over from close range to stretch the lead further. O’Shea off the tee gave the home side a comfortable 21-6 advantage.

But before they could get too at ease, Wilfried Hulleu got one back for the visitors. The French winger reacted quickest after the Racing lineout failed to find a man in blue and white hoops. With plenty of work to do, Hulleu rushed to the corner to get his side back in the contest.

They closed the gap even further just minutes later. This time the lineout went to hand and it was Diego Escobar who touched down after the rolling maul. The successful conversion meant it was just a three-point game with over 25 minutes left to play.

Munster needed something to quell the turning tide and they got it in the shape of Fineen Wycherley. Just seconds after coming onto the pitch, the replacement lock broke through for his side’s fourth try of the night.

Another substitute, JJ Hanrahan added the extras to bring some much-needed comfort back to the scoreboard - before the next twist in the tale.

New Zealander Joey Manu replied with a spectacular effort - the conversion making it a three-point game again with just over 10 minutes to play.

Racing played the concluding stages with 14 - Arthur Roche yellow carded for a dangerous tackle on Ben O’Connor.

The win was secured by a late, late try from Craig Casey.

MUNSTER RUGBY: Ben O’Connor; Shay McCarthy, Alex Nankivell, Dan Kelly, Seán O’Brien; Charlie O’Shea (JJ Hanrahan, 57 mins), Craig Casey (Ben O'Donovan, 79 mins); Jeremy Loughman (Josh Wycherley, 57 mins), Marnus van der Merwe (Max Clein, 79 mins), Jack Aungier (Kieran Brookes, 57 mins); Tom Ahern (Fineen Wycherley, 59 mins), Tadhg Beirne; Seán Edogbo (Ben O'Donovan, 54 mins), John Hodnett, Brian Gleeson (Gavin Coombes, 54 mins).

RACING 92: Geronimo Prisciantelli; Wilfried Hulleu, Vinaya Habosi (Sam James, 49 mins), Joey Manu, Sione Tupou (Arthur Roche, 50 mins); Antoine Latrasse (Maxime Machenaud, 49 mins), Antoine Gibert; Edouard Jabea Njocke (Lehopoame Leota, 52 mins), Diego Escobar (Yanis Basse, 78 mins), Gia Kharaishvili (Demba Bamba, 49 mins); Thomas Lainault, Jordan Joseph (Nathan Hughes, 59 mins); Lekima Tagitagivalu, Nicolas Martins, Maxime Baudonne.

Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU).