Fine vindication of Gaffney's work
The Holy Grail of the Heineken European Cup may have eluded the affable Australian during his tenure in Munster, but the Celtic Cup and Saturday's fine win over a determined Llanelli side was some consolation. It also vindicated much of the work he has so tirelessly devoted to the cause.
Gaffney's burning desire during his three years with the side was to see Munster play a more expansive game. On this occasion they started in explosive fashion and, apart from an especially difficult spell early in the second half, maintained that momentum, winding up with a three tries to one margin in their favour.
Ronan O'Gara, back from six weeks out with injury, was immediately into his stride, handling, kicking and above all distributing to perfection. It was like he was never away as he ran on to Peter Stringer's crisp service and gave centres Rob Henderson and Mike Mullins the space in which they prosper.
Mullins had a marvellous 80 minutes, clearly demonstrating he is a totally different player when operating on a hard pitch and with a dry ball.
In truth, there wasn't a weak link in this Munster side and the only negative note was the shoulder injury suffered by Marcus Horan in the 22nd minute after one of his trademark charges into the opposition 22.
Paul O'Connell had another immense game in the engine room and in the open field, while Anthony Foley was his usual self, leading by example from the front. As Foley and O'Gara pointed out later, this was the day when Gaffney's dedication to an expansive game really came to the fore.
Those fortunate enough to be seated in the East Stand were bathed in sunshine, but it was a different matter on the west side where the strong wind blowing towards the Lansdowne Road end left a decided sting in the air. Munster had first use of the elements and only five minutes had elapsed when Mullins scythed his way through the middle of the park - swift, accurate passing sent Anthony Horgan skipping his way past two tacklers and over in the corner. O'Gara converted from the touchline and the party was well and truly under way.
The Scarlets were clearly happy to play their part and when left winger Aisea Havili scorched up the left wing and kicked over Shaun Payne's head, the full-back impeded him to concede a penalty and was also fortunate to escape a yellow card.
Out-half Ceiron Thomas converted the goal to give Llanelli a well deserved three points.
Munster's second try was another beauty, Foley and David Wallace making the hard yards before a quick heel helped O'Gara to slide beautifully through a gap. He duly added the points to maintain his own momentum and that of a Munster side in dazzling form.
Nevertheless, they didn't have everything their own way and Llanelli were very much back in the game on 29 minutes when burly scrum-half Mike Phillips, a replacement for Lion Dwayne Peel, forced his way over in the left corner and Thomas bisected the uprights with a magnificent kick.
A penalty followed by a drop goal from the immaculate O'Gara moved Munster to 20-10, but it might have been so much different had Phillips not been blown back by a fantastic piece of aggressive resistance having actually crossed the Munster line. That key moment arrived on the stroke of half-time. It had been a fine opening half, but Munster still had it all to do as they turned to face the wind.
Almost from the restart, the battle was joined when Thomas narrowed the gap with a penalty from 45 metres and Munster suffered again when Donncha O'Callaghan had the ball dashed from his grasp as he dived to score after another concerted attack.
By now, though, much of the cohesion had vanished from the Munster performance with Stringer twice missing O'Gara, thereby increasing the pressure on the home defence.
Scarlets deservedly narrowed the gap to four points with another Thomas penalty after 57 minutes.
It was touch and go for a time, but Munster worries were finally allayed on 75 minutes when the outstanding Mullins crashed through a dangerously high tackle by Matt Watkins and steamed over between the posts, O'Gara converting to bring his personal haul of points to 17.
: S. Payne, P. Devlin, M. Mullins, R. Henderson, A. Horgan; R. O'Gara, P. Stringer; M. Horan, F. Sheahan, J. Hayes, D. O'Callaghan, P. O'Connell, A. Quinlan, D. Wallace, A. Foley capt.
: G. McIlwham for Horan 22 mins; D. Leamy for Devlin 60 mins
: B. Davies; G. Evans, M.J. Watkins, T. Selley, A. Havili; C. Thomas, M. Phillips; P. John, M. Rees, J. Davies, V. Cooper, C. Wyatt, S. Easterby capt, G. Thomas, A. Powell.
: S. Finau and G. Quinnell for Havili and Powell 54 mins; A. Jones for Wyatt 62 mins; A. Gravelle for Rees 68 mins.
: Joel Jutge (France).
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