Munster prove unstoppable

Munster 33 Connacht 3

For an hour, Steph Nel's men gave as good as they got before Munster's greater strength up front, where young tigers like Paul O'Connell and Donnacha O'Callaghan were outstanding and with the more seasoned Anthony Foley and man of the match Alan Quinlan nothing short of devastating, told in the closing stages.

Will-o'-wisp Mike Mullins in the centre teased and tormented the gallant Connacht defence all night and it was only fitting that he should grab a try at the finish.

There is no doubt that the 31-3 margin flattered Munster who, however, now go forward to the resumption of the Heineken Cup with their confidence sky high and also looking forward to a Celtic League semi-final against the winners of today's clash of Ulster and Glasgow at Thomond Park on January 4th.

Any notions that this game would be something of a warm up affair for Munster were dispelled almost from the kick-off. Fired-up Connacht were quickly into their stride and after only three minutes forced a penalty from which Elwood struck an upright from near halfway.

As Munster settled, they set up a few promising attacks and on eight minutes mauled the ball all of 40 metres to within inches of the Connacht line. Connacht were penalised for collapsing but Munster scorned the penalty attempt and went in search of the seven pointer. But Frankie Sheahan's throw dropped short of the target and Damien Browne stole the ball, much to the delight of the small but vociferous Connacht support in the excellent crowd of around 6,000.

Then came the power failure. The wags, of course, were in their element. "The IRFU just pulled the plug on Connacht," suggested one, a reference to the current deliberations about cost-cutting measures and the possible disappearance altogether of the western province.

A quarter of an hour later, normal business was restored with the exciting nature of the exchanges having lost nothing for the interruption. Almost immediately, O'Gara and Mark McHugh exchanged long-range penalties but once again Connacht's intent was tellingly demonstrated as the powerful Jim Williams was stopped dead in his tracks by a devastating tackle by John O'Sullivan, who all through was a major influence in the Connacht back-row.

Another O'Gara penalty on 23 minutes restored Munster's advantage but the visitors were undeterred. It took a magnificent last ditch tackle by Mossy Lawler on Gavin Duffy to prevent a Connacht try and for a time Munster looked to be on the ropes.

Typically, however, they fought their way and two jinking runs by the elusive Mike Mullins had the crowd on their feet. On the stroke of half-time, however, Munster suffered a double whammy, initially when O'Gara missed a penalty, having knocked over six out of six and four out of four against Australia and Argentina in his two previous competitive outings. Then O'Connell was yellow-carded on the advice of a touch judge.

The second half was only six minutes old when Peter Bracken of Connacht and Munster's Marcus Horan were yellow-carded. As it transpired, Connacht had more or less shot their bolt. Brave, yes; committed, yes, but short of the staying power and class to cope with a rampant Munster XV.

MUNSTER K. Keane; C. McMahon, M. Mullins, J. Holland, M.Lawler; R. O'Gara, P. Stringer; M. Horan, F. Sheahan, J. Hayes, P. O'Connell, D. O'Callaghan, J. Williams, A. Quinlan, A. Foley capt.

Replacements: D. Leamy for Williams; S. Kerr for Horan; M. Prendergast for McMahon; D. Malone for Stringer; C. Mahony for Mullins; J. Blaney for Sheahan.

CONNACHT M. McHugh; G. Duffy, D. Yapp, S. Moore capt, T. Robinson; E. Elwood, C. Keane; R. McCormack, M.Uijs, P. Bracken, D. Browne, R. Frost, P. Neville, J. O'Connor, J. O'Sullivan.

Replacements: J. Flannery for Uijs; E. Reddan for Keane.

Referee : Nigel Owens (Wales).