MUNSTER held their nerve to claim victory over interprovincial rivals Connacht in the URC on Saturday afternoon.
The Reds earned a thrilling 30-24 bonus-point win over the Westerners at a sold-out MacHale Park.
27,870 packed into the Castlebar venue to see the Irish sides battle it out in a cracking contest.
The home crowd were on their feet late on when Dylan Tierney-Martin dived over for what looked like a dramatic winner.
But the try was ruled out after Bundee Aki was penalised for a croc-roll clearout in the build-up.
It was a tough pill to swallow for Connacht, who had battled back from 18 points down.
But Ian Costello’s Munster outfit did just enough to hang on for a big victory after Jean Kleyn’s turnover sealed the win at the death.
Munster were fast out of the blocks in the early stages of the game as they took full control, racing into an 18-5 half-time lead.
Tries from Tom Ahern and Craig Casey, with Jack Crowley pulling the strings superbly.
The out-half also scored a try of his own in the second half.
He also added two conversions and two penalties in a man-of-the-match display.
Munster had to do it the hard way after Alex Nankivell was shown red on 25 minutes for a dangerous hit on Cian Prendergast.
The skipper and brother of Leinster star Sam, was stretchered off and taken to hospital.
Pete Wilkins’ side also finished with 13 men after yellow cards for Tadhg Beirne and Niall Scannell.
Connacht fought back hard as Sean Jansen grabbed a brace, Caolin Blade added another, and Josh Ioane set up a nervy finish with their fourth try.
But despite the late surge wasn’t enough as the visitors’ early dominance and game management saw them home, just.
CONNACHT 24-30 MUNSTER
Connacht: Tries: Sean Jansen (2), Caolin Blade, Josh Ioane,
Cons: Josh Ioane (1) JJ Hanrahan (1)
Munster: Tries: Tom Ahern, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley, Diarmuid Barron
Cons: Jack Crowley (2)
Pens: Jack Crowley (2)
Connacht: Mack Hansen; Chay Mullins, Hugh Gavin, Bundee Aki, Finn Treacy; Josh Ioane, Caolin Blade; Jordan Duggan, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham; Joe Joyce, Darragh Murray; Cian Prendergast (capt), Shamus Hurley-Langton, Sean Jansen.
Replacements: Dylan Tierney-Martin (for Heffernan, 59), Denis Buckley (for Duggan, 57), Jack Aungier (for Bealham, 57), Josh Murphy (for Prendergast, 25), Paul Boyle (for Joyce, 57), Matthew Devine (for Blade, 53), JJ Hanrahan (for Cordero, 53), Santiago Cordero (for Mullins, 5).
Munster: Ben O’Connor; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Seán O’Brien; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron, Oli Jager; Fineen Wycherley, Tadhg Beirne (capt); Tom Ahern, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Niall Scannell (for Barron, 60), Josh Wycherley (for Loughman, 60), Stephen Archer (for Jager, 56), Jean Kleyn (for Wycherley, 56), Ruadhán Quinn (for Kendellen, 67), Conor Murray (for Casey, 67), Rory Scannell, Alex Kendellen (for Hodnett, 22).
Referee: Craig Evans (WRU)
