AHEAD of the start of the Champions Cup (home to Stade Francais Paris next Saturday), Munster registered a timely 17-10 URC win over Emirates Lions at Thomond Park.
It was just a third campaign victory for the province.
Under interim coach Ian Costello, Munster had trailed 7-10 at the break after Thaakir Abrahams notched his first try for the club (converted by Billy Burns) before second-half tries from replacement Shane Daly and Alex Kendellen secured the win.
Jack O’Donoghue was outstanding for the winners.
Munster: Mike Haley (40’); Shay McCarthy, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Thaakir Abrahams; Billy Burns (Butler 61’), Ethan Coughlan (Patterson 52’); Dian Bleuler (Ryan 67’), Diarmuid Barron, captain (Scannell 61’), John Ryan (Archer 56’); Evan O’Connell (Quinn 71’), Fineen Wycherley; Jack O’Donoghue, Alex Kendellen (Hodnett 56’), Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Niall Scannell, Kieran Ryan, Stephen Archer, Ruadhán Quinn, John Hodnett, Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler, Shane Daly.
