McGahan backing for Munster’s young guns

MUNSTER strengthened their hand at the top of the Magners League with a bonus point win with an inexperienced side at Musgrave Park on Saturday night.

The win keeps Munster’s bid for a home semi-final firmly on course.

Tony McGahan’s youngsters did him proud in a game that was highly competitive for 70 of the 80 minutes before exhaustion finally overcame the injury-hit visitors.

A young half back partnership of Declan Cusack and Conor Murray and further spins for Simon Zebo (wing) and Stephen Archer (tight-head prop) along with the ever improving Ian Nagle in the second row were features both of the performance and the win.

Cusack had a sound game with a bit of help from Paul Warwick, Murray positively sparkled before he was substituted for Peter Stringer, while Zebo was often in the thick of Munster’s best attacks.

In a front row that bristled with enthusiasm from the start, Archer had a much better day than in a recent tough outing against Benetton Treviso and Nagle was a key figure as Munster, led brilliantly by Mick O’Driscoll, got to grips with their dogged forward opponents.

In relation to the youngsters, McGahan believes the introduction of the British and Irish Cup, and Munster’s experience therein, played a big role in their development.

“It (that competition) has been a significant part of our programme. They not only get to play meaningful games but they also get to play in the Munster jersey with the proper training; they can train all they want but they need to get games to play together and Anthony Foley and his coaches have done a great job, we’re starting to see the benefits coming through.”

But this solid Munster performance wasn’t all about the new kids on the block, given that O’Driscoll won the man of the match award, that James Coughlan, Denis Leamy and Marcus Horan were at the heart of the best forward drives, and that Doug Howlett scored two trademark tries involving clinical finishing.

“Doug? Yeah, he came back from the pre-season very keen and for a guy who has achieved everything in the game to continue looking for improvement in his personal performance and getting himself right is a credit to himself. It (enthusiasm and professionalism) also rubs off on the other players.”

The timing of each of Howlett’s tries was crucial, given the difficulties Munster had in a highly competitive opening half. Having taken the lead with an early penalty from Paul Warwick, the home side never looked like settling in the comfort zone, with Jason Tovey punishing them from the placed ball, responding to one other kick from Warwick with three penalties to secure a 9-6 lead by the mid- point.

Murray and James Coughlan combined in a narrow side move that led to Howlett’s first try in 30 minutes, with Warwick converting, before then combining with the Kiwi to create and execute an injury-time try that game Munster an 18-9 lead.

Dragons captain Steve Jones threw down the gauntlet with a try just a minute into the second half. They still battled on after a Warwick penalty and try from O’Driscoll to push Munster on at 26-14. Tovey kicked a 61st minute penalty and Munster had to wait until the closing stages to seal the five point deal, Johne Murphy flying in for the fourth try that Warwick converted.

The wily Alan Quinlan took advantage of the fact that the Dragons had lost both second rows, Rob Sidoli and Scott Morgan to injury, and he pounced with a fifth try to add gloss to the scoreboard.

MUNSTER: J Murphy; D Howlett, L Mafi, P Warwick, S Zebo; D Cusack, C Murray; M Horan, D Fogarty, S Archer; I Nagle, M O’Driscoll (capt); D Ryan, J Coughlan, D Leamy.

Replacements: W du Preez for Horan, D Varley for Fogarty (both 53), T Buckley for Archer (54), P Stringer for Murray (58), A Quinlan for Nagle (63). D Barnes for Zebo (66), T O’Donnell for Coughlan (71)

DRAGONS: P Leach; A Hughes, T Riley, A Smith, M Pewtener; J Tovey, W Evans; H Gustafson, SJones (capt), B Castle; S Morgan, R Sidoli; A Coombs, T Faletau, J Bearman.

Replacements: R Gomer-Davies for Smith (injured, 20), A Jones for Sidoli (injured, 27), L Evans for Morgan, J Evans for W Evans (both 46), L Burns for S Jones (55).

Referee: Peter Allan (Scotland).