Connacht claim two-point victory against Munster

Connacht 2-20 Munster 2-18, Pearse Stadium

Connacht were forced to dig deep before claiming a two-point victory over Munster in today's M Donnelly Interprovincial semi-final at Pearse Stadium in Salthill.

Munster, with just two Cork players on board, looking likely winners until late goals from Aonghus Callanan and Niall Healy of Galway stole victory for the western province.

Munster were more clinical in the opening half and held a deserved 2-7 to 0-9 interval lead. John McIntyre's side were caused huge problems in defence by an eager Munster attack.

Goals from Tipperary's Paul Kelly and Ken McGrath of Waterford helped open up a comfortable four-point gap at the break.

Buoyed by a strong performance by Sligo's Keith Raymond at midfield, Connacht came back into contention in the second half.

A Seamus Prendergast point gave Munster a 2-9 to 0-10 lead five minutes into the second half, but Connacht managed to better their southern counterparts on the scoresheet for the remainder of this game.

Connacht pressed hard during the closing stages and thanks to a late brace of goals from Callanan and Healy, the hosts booked their place in next month's decider in Abu Dhabi.