Munster end run of derby defeats

By DARAGH SMALL

Munster ……… 34

Connacht……… 17

Another encouraging URC win continued Munster's turnaround in fortunes.

Connacht left Thomond Park with a losing bonus point but tries from Calvin Nash, Roman Salanoa, John Ryan, and Niall Scannell helped Munster secure all five points on offer in difficult conditions in Limerick.

“The position we're in at the moment we need all hands-on deck. We don't want to be where we are at the moment.” said lock Tadhg Beirne.

Munster had lost five interprovincial derbies in a row and their 20-11 defeat away to Connacht at the Sportsground on October 7 was a huge cause for concern.

It was 10-10 at half-time here too and there was no sign of shaking off their neighbours with Byron Ralston's intercept try cancelling out the two first half scores from Munster.

The wind was howling and making it difficult for either side to gain a foothold but when John Porch tackled Joey Carbery off the ball and got yellow, it signalled the end for the visitors. Former Wasps tighthead Ryan scored the crucial third try before fellow replacement Scannell popped up for the fourth. And with Beirne a colossus at the breakdown throughout, they kept Connacht at bay despite a frantic finish after Kieran Marmion's try. Andy Friend's side came with one last drive but Munster stopped it and grabbed a massive win.