Tyro Casey drives Munster to victory

By JOHN FALLON

CAPTAIN CJ Stander praised 20-year old No.9 Craig Casey, starting his first game for Munster, for steering them to victory in a cracking Christmas contest.

Casey was superb in a side showing ten changes from the clash with Saracens and Satander said: “He's a great young lad and he pushed us old fellas around the place and made us work harder.” A try by replacement flanker Jack O'Donoghue was the key score of the contest when he barged over after a period of pressure. Munster were patient in the build-up and O'Donoghue, having been repelled two phases earlier, squeezed through after 25 minutes.

JJ Hanrahan converted and his three opening half penalties helped Munster lead 16-9 at the break, with former Munster academy player Conor Fitzgerald hitting three from three penalties for a Connacht side who lacked precision, especially in the lineout.

Hanrahan extended Munster's lead but Connacht were given a lifeline when Jack Carty, sniped over seven minutes from time.

But that was as close as they got as Munster penned them back for the remaining minutes. Connacht coach Andy Friend said: “I'm delighted we got something out of it. We were poor. We just made too many errors again. So, to sneak a point that's pleasing at the end.”

TEAMS

CONNACHT: O'Halloran 7(S

Fitzgerald 55, 6); Porch 7, Daly 7,

Aki 6, Godwin 5; C Fitzgerald 6

(Carty 60, 7), Blade 8 (Kerins 73,

5); Buckley 7 (Kenny 71, 5), Heffernan

6 (Delahunt 59, 6), Bealham

7 (Roberston McCoy 59, 7);

Dillane 8, Roux 8 (Maksymiw 72,

5); Masterson 6 (Copeland 61, 5),

Boyle 7, McKeon 6

MUNSTER: Daly 7 (Arnold 59, 6);