Kelly keeps Munster's Celtic League hopes alive
Munster are back in contention after picking up a bonus point, courtesy of John Kelly's second try late in this hotly disputed match between two under-strength Irish provinces.
And things seem bound to get better. New Zealand star Christian Cullen is recovering at a rate of knots and is now expected to make his debut in this same competition, at the same venue, in a fortnight's time against Neath/Swansea Ospreys.
Leinster, on the admission of coach Gary Ella, will spend the rest of the season picking up the pieces, using the squad system but basically clutching at straws.
It was one of those nights. Munster still have the Heineken Cup to look forward to and, after their five-pointer last night, can still challenge for the Celtic League.
"It's probably the end of the road for us in this competition but there is still an opportunity to get the younger guys a bit of experience," Ella said.
Munster coach Alan Gaffney is, however, in a happier position. "Very happy with the result, not entirely happy with the performance but there you go. It wasn't perfect but the crowd got behind us in the second half and the players finally responded.
"There were times in the first half when I wasn't at all pleased. We never seemed to get beyond the first phase. Once we managed to put a few phases together we did look dangerous. Happily we took the chances eventually because we let a lot of them go."
Kelly came in for high praise from colleague Jason Holland.
"When guys are left out of a national squad, as John was, it would be easy to go off and sulk in a corner. He came out fighting this evening and scored two great tries. Last week, Anthony Horgan did exactly the same and now finds himself in the Irish squad for the French game. Things change very quickly and John's performance is proof that these guys mean business," Holland said.
Leek kicked Leinster into an early lead with an easy penalty but Munster deservedly got back into control when they scored the first try two minutes later.
That honour fell to Mossie Lawlor courtesy of a fine pass from Eddie Halvey and Munster went 5-3 in front.
Still, it didn't do Munster much good because Leek kicked a second penalty to restore the lead at a time when they were down to 14 men. Peter Coyle was the Leinster player sent to the sin-bin for a professional foul.
When it came back to evens, Munster had more in reserve. John Kelly scored a superb 29th minute try after a brilliant break from Rob Henderson.
The Irish centre made the initial thrust but Jason Jones-Hughes deserved a lot of credit for the sweet inside pass to cut the Leinster defence to shreds. Munster failed to capitalise on that, with Holland hitting the upright.
Then when Leinster launched a late first half assault, David Pusey was shown a yellow card for diving over the top of a ruck and Leinster took full advantage.
Leek kicked for touch, Leinster won the throw, they drove forward and Aidan Kearney got the touchdown. Leek converted to give Leinster a 13-10 advantage at the break.
It was touch-and-go throughout the second half. Munster had territorial advantage but failed to make that pay until eight minutes from the end.
Shaun Payne fell over with the line at his mercy after five minutes, Gordon McIlwham was denied a try when the pack drove over, and Jason Holland missed a penalty and drop goal.
But then Henderson was sent in for a try after Lawlor raced down the left wing. His inside pass was good enough to send the centre in for the try, despite the suspicion of a forward pass.
Holland converted that try and then, as the game appeared to be heading towards an inevitable conclusion, Munster struck late. John Kelly picked up 35 metres out, looked left and right but drove straight through for a magnificent individual try, with Holland finally putting Leinster to the sword with the conversion.
S. Payne, J. Kelly, J. Jones-Hughes, R. Henderson, M. Lawlor, J. Holland, E. Reddan, S. Kerr, J. Blaney, G. McIlwham, T. Hogan, D. Pusey, S. Keogh, J. Williams (captain), E. Halvey.
F. Roche for Kerr. J. Flannery for Blaney (both 50), F. Murphy for Reddan (68), P. Malone for Halvey (75).
J. Norton, J. McWeeney, C. Warner, D. Quinlan, B. Burke, M. Leek, B. O'Riordan, E. Bohan, G. Hickie, P. Coyle, A. Kearney, B. Gissing, N. Breslin, D. Dillon, S. Jennings (captain).
G. Brown for Warner (40, injured), S. Brophy for Bohan, C. Potts for Breslin (both 72), D. Blaney for Hickie (77).
H. Watkins (Wales)
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