Munster triumph as Frankie goes to Donnybrook
Leinster 8 Munster 15
Munster hooker Frankie Sheahan may well have spent the last two months attempting to save his playing career from going under, but a welcome return to competitive action last night in Donnybrook, may have booked him a ticket "downunder" on the passenger list of the Eddie
O’Sullivan Express, due to be finalised tomorrow morning.
In a mediocre opening to the third Celtic League tournament, the champions of the last two seasons played out a disappointing one-try game, pockmarked by poor handling from both sides and a lack of attacking potency. Alan Gaffney’s reigning champions avoided defeat but suffered a double blow in the first half, with injury forcing Irish hopeful Rob Henderson and out-half Jason Holland to
the sideline.
Sheahan was afforded a warm reception by a large Dublin 4 attendance, but saw his first lineout throw after ninety seconds plucked away from its intended target, by Leinster back row Des Dillon. Munster looked off the pace early on and it was fitting in new coach Gary Ella’s first competitive game that the home side took the lead on seven minutes through one of his favoured players.
The former Australian back has described Barnhall back Brendan Burke as 'impressive around the paddock', and it was the left-winger, in his second cap, who opened the scoring on six minutes. The outstretched arm of Des Dillon flicked on a long pass from out-half Matthew Leek following an ensuing ruck, and captain Keith Gleeson released Burke to glide over. Leek missed the conversion.
The Munster men were dealt a hammer blow on 17 minutes with the double injury of Holland and Henderson, with the former Lion forced off with an injury to her right arm. Full back Jeremy Staunton went wide with a right wing penalty after 29 minutes but split the posts with his third attempt from a central position three minutes later.
D’Arcy, Leinster’s most potent attacking threat, kicked his first shot at the posts wide on 46 minutes before Staunton took a stranglehold on the game for Munster with successful penalties on 50, 58 and 66 minutes. The visitors had edged 12-5 in front before the Garryowen back sent his fifth successful kick from seven over, with four minutes remaining to guarantee Munster the win.
Prop Simon Kerr saw yellow just thirty seconds later but Leinster’s sole reply came through a D’Arcy penalty in the last minute of normal time.
