Munster snatch defeat from the jaws of victory

MUNSTER 10-13 LEINSTER

Conor Murray was back on top form. Tadhg Beirne was a turnover machine. Mike Haley’s kicking was on point. Damien De Allende’s leg drives were a joy to behold. The Munster bench made an impact. And still, they lost to Leinster.

Despite going 10-0 ahead after 11 minutes, at a frigid Thomond Park, and dominating long spells of the game thereafter, Munster managed to cough one up to their inter-pro rivals in the final stages.

Johann van Graan’s side looked full value for their lead as the game headed into the final 11 minutes, but Leinster were never put away and they made their hosts pay for their profligacy. JJ Hanrahan missed two penalty attempts, either side of half-time, and it ultimately came back to bite Munster.

It was not all Munster, however, but every time they looked like threatening a try, Tadhg Beirne (twice) and the home defence would step up with a big tackle or turnover.

Hanrahan struck a post with a 39th minute penalty that would have made it 13-3 and the miss was compounded when Munster were penalised twice in 60 seconds and Johnny Sexton reduced the arrears to 10-6 at the break.

The second half saw Munster play a smart game and put the ball back into the Leinster half, almost daring them to play their way out of trouble. But not ticking the scoreboard over cost the home side.

Driven on by scrumhalf Luke McGrath, Leinster went wide on a set-play off a scrum and Ross Byrne kicked in behind the red lines. Hugo Keenan got to the ball first and offloaded to Jordan Larmour, who glided over for the clincher.

The try that won it for Leinster… and what a try it was!pic.twitter.com/oQ2cvyYaRD

— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) January 23, 2021

Ross Byrne added the extras to ensure Munster would need a try to win it. It was not to be, however, as De Allende knocked on, out wide, with less than a minute to go and Leinster saw the game out.

OUR MAN OF THE MATCH: Tadhg Beirne (Munster)

The FootballJOE quiz: Were you paying attention? – episode 10