UPDATED; IN A game that might have lacked the classic flow of a great rugby match, Munster did just enough to squeeze out a win over a very commendable and committed effort from the Northampton Saints as they attempted to become only the second team to beat Munster at Thomond Park in a Heineken Cup game.
Munster took the 12-9 win after enduring a battle that ebbed and flowed throughout the 80 minutes. With Munster captain, Paul O’Connell sin binned in the second half, the visitors set up camp on the Munster five-metre line and opted for a series of scrums following Munster infringements at the breakdown.
However the home side dug seep and with the help of Doug Howlett taking up a temporary spot in the back row and Quinlan moving in to fill the gap left by a bemused O’Connell, Munster turned the ball over after the sixth scrum in what proved to be the turning of the screw in favour of the two time Heineken Cup Champions.
With Ronan O’Gara slotting home four penalties, Alan Quinlan putting in a TV accredited Man of the Match performance and the endless running, chasing and match quality of a commanding performance by Doug Howlett, Munster and their 16th man kept their form intact to make it four wins from five and guarantee themselves a home quarter final game.
Munster will now face a home quarter final against Northampton following the completion of the pool stages this weekend. Furthermore, the winners of that Titanic battle will have to travel to either France or Wales pending the outcome of Biarritz V Ospreys.
Meantime, Leinster will host Clermont in their quarterfinal match with the winners bound for France to play either Stade or Toulouse. The semi final draw held on Sunday left open the chance for an all Ireland final as Munster and Leinster were drawn on opposite sides of the draw.
Post match, Tony McGaha (pictured right) noted how his team had to dig deep on several occasions but was delighted that, although not a classic game of rugby, his team now advance to the knock-out stages of the cup as they go in hunt of a third title.
“Northampton are the real deal and a great side which will make the quarter final a very tough game”.
Pictured above is Alan Quinlan, Munster, who was presented with the Heineken Man of the Match award by Pat Maher, National Sponsorship and Events Manager, Heineken Ireland. Heineken Cup, Pool 1, Round 6, Munster v Northampton Saints, Thomond Park, Limerick. Picture credit: Matt Browne / SPORTSFILE
QUARTER-FINALS – 9 / 10 / 11 April
SEMI-FINALS – 1 / 2 May
Paris 2010 Heineken Cup Final – 22 May at 6.00 pm
HEINEKEN CUP SEMI-FINALS 2009/10
(To be played 1 / 2 May)
The winner of the first named quarter-final in each semi-final pairing will have home country advantage.
Semi-final 1: Toulouse or Stade Français Paris v Leinster or ASM Clermont Auvergne
Semi-final 2: Biarritz Olympique or Ospreys v Munster or Northampton Saints
