McGahan parks talk of O’Leary’s French leave

Much of the talk leading into this tie surrounded the immediate future of Tomás O’Leary, after French TV claimed the Ireland international had inked a deal with Perpignan.

It is understood that there is an offer on the table from the French Top 14 club, sitting alongside an alternative offer from Munster. But provincial bosses were remaining tightlipped on the matter preferring to concentrate on the positives of a bonus-point victory at the Stadio di Monigo.

Little wonder, then, that Tony McGahan had a spring in his step when it was all done.

“We’ve been out of rugby for the last four weeks, and so to come to Treviso and get a bonus point is exceptionally pleasing,” he admitted. “We’ve been here for a couple of days now and we’ll leave eager to make a mark on the next three games.”

McGahan will be without Ronan O’Gara for those games, given the return of the RBS 6 Nations, and the veteran fly-half advanced his case for inclusion in Declan Kidney’s starting side, notching six from six in a flawless kicking display.

O’Gara collected the man of the match award but Peter O’Mahony was another who shone throughout for the visitors. The Corkman’s contribution was highlighted by the reaction from the home support, who jeered and whistled his every attempt to forage for ruck ball — fitting compliment to any self-respecting openside.

“Peter is gathering momentum and improving every time he steps out onto the pitch,” said McGahan. “He’s a young man who is certainly going places, not only at provincial level but also on the international stage.”

And then there was Simon Zebo, who helped himself to two of Munster’s four tries, taking his tally to six in three games (including his effort for the Irish Wolfhounds against the English Saxons).

For the first, he was both creator and finisher, unlocking the home defence with a perfectly-weighted kick that fell into the lap of Danny Barnes, before gathering the return pass to slide home. The second was all about pace and evasion, out-skirting his opposite wing before dancing a jig past the helpless full-back.

“Simon has been terrific for us this season and he took his opportunities very well today,” agreed McGahan.

“The important thing for us is the work rate which he brings to the game, which coupled together with his finishing, makes him a very important member of our team.”

The other Munster tries were scored by Barnes and Johne Murphy, and a good day all round was completed by the return to action of Felix Jones following six months of injury rehabilitation.

The Shannon full-back was introduced with 20 minutes to go and impressed in his late cameo.

Scorers for Treviso: Tries: Semenzato, Van Zyl. Cons: De Vaal 2.

Scorers for Munster: Tries: Barnes, Zebo 2, Murphy. Cons: O’Gara 3. Pens: O’Gara 3.

TREVISO: L Nitoglia; T Iannone, E Galon, A Sgarbi, B Williams; W de Waal, F Semenzato; Muccignat, F Sbaraglini, P Di Santo; A Pavanello (capt), C Van Zyl; P Derbyshire, B Vermaak, M Filippucci.

Replacements: G Padro for Vermaak (32); V Bernabo for Derbyshire (41); E Ceccato for Sbaraglini, I Fernandez-Rouyet for Di Santo (both 50); G Garcia for Galon (56); A Allori for Muccignat (70).

MUNSTER: D Hurley; J Murphy, D Barnes, L Mafi, S Zebo; R O’Gara, T O’Leary; W Du Preez, D Varley, BJ Botha; D Ryan, M O’Driscoll (capt); D O’Callaghan, P O’Mahony, J Coughlan .

Replacements: M Horan for Du Preez (50); D Williams for O’Leary (56); F Jones for Murphy (60); T O’Donnell for O’Callaghan (68); S Archer for Botha, B Holland for O’Driscoll (both 70); S Deasy for O’Gara, D Fogarty for Varley (both 75).

Referee: N Hennessy.