MUNSTER defeated Edinburgh today 33-0 at Thomond Park in round two of the Heineken Cup. Leading 6-0 at half time, Munster could have been more ahead, seeing as they totally dominated the game in the first forty. A try on 49 minutes from Conor Murray opened the gates for Munster to play with some abandon. The bonus point tries did not come however, until the last 10 minutes of the game.
Tries from O’Mahony, Dougal and Varley mean Munster got the bonus point in a game that only came to life for 10 minutes.
Reaction –
Conor Murray, “We got to the 70th minute mark and we needed to score the tries. The crowd really got behind us then and we knew that we needed to keep doing what we were doing. If we stuck to the game plan, we knew we could get scores. Even when it was at 6-0 at half time” Murray enjoyed his extra time on the pitch today. (Playing the full 80) – “I know the norm is for scrum halves to play 60-20 split, but I am enjoying the time on the pitch. It is hard working from touchline to touchline at the moment, but it is great to have an overall effect on the game”
Michael Bradley – Edinburgh Coach – “We had good enough players out there today to do something, but we were dominated at the breakdown. We could not get the ball we wanted at the breakdown. We were missing Visser and Laidlaw, but the way the game went, we would not have made much of an impact even if we had those lads. Munster’s new style is a great string to their bow. They have a real balance now and they are not afraid to go wide when it is on”
Rob Penney – “We still left a lot out there. Credit must go to the ground staff and the fans here. They made the environment possible for this weekend’s win. We have two huge games against Saracens now. We still have to beat them to go further in the tournament. We still have lots to do however. The most pleasing thing today was the way the lads embraced their work and went for it today. Our unforced error rate was still too high for me. The areas for us to work on are exploiting space, balls retention. We are traveling in a good direction, but we are not there yet”
Munster’s next home game is Friday the 26th of October against Zebre at Thomond Park. Kick off is at 19.45
As it happened:
3m – In a sun drenched Thomond Park today for Munster v Edinburgh. Keatley gives Munster the lead on 3 mins with a penalty 3-0
15m – Munster push Edinburgh off of their own ball 5 metres out. An incredible show of scrummaging power.Keatley misses the kick from the resulting penalty.
23m – Keatley makes it 6-0 after Edinburgh were pinged for hands in the ruck. Munster should be more ahead for their level of possession.
31m – Keatley once more goes for the sticks, From an amazing 55 metres out, into the wind. He is short and left.
40m – Half time came with Munster still only leading 6-0. Poor return from almost 100% possession.
43m – Second half started as first was, Munster in possession, but turning over cheap ball. Mistakes aplenty
50m – Conor Murray crosses the line for Munster after 49 minutes of pressure. A snipe from the side of a ruck finally pays off. Munster 11-0 up.
51m – Conversion by Keatley, 13-0 lead now for Munster.
56m – Keatley kicked Munster to 16-0 leaders after Edinburgh were once more penalised for infringements at the ruck.
71m – Try for Munster coming from Peter O’Mahony who picked and went from one yard out. Converted by Keatley, Munster lead 23-0.
73rm – Try for Munster from Sean Dougal. After a great break from Keatley and Butler, Dougal goes over in the corner from a pick and go. Munster lead 28-0. Conversion missed.
80m – Bonus point secured after Varley crosses from a maul off of a lineout. Munster win this one 33-0. (Conversion missed by Kealty)
Munster: Hurley, Howlett, Laulala, Downey, Zebo, Keatley, Murray, Kilcoyne, Sherry, Botha, O’Callaghan, O’Connell, Ryan, Dougal, O’Mahony. Subs: Varley, Horan, Archer, Holland, Butler, Williams, Hanrahan, Jones.
Edinburgh: Tonks,Jones, De Luca, Atiga, Brown, Hunter, Rees, Yapp, Ford, Cross, Gilchrist, Cox, Denton, Mc Inally, Talei. Subs: Titterell, Hislop, Nel, Mc Alpine, Basilaia, Leck, Scott, Fife.
