Raising the Bar – How Munster floored Leinster at Croke Park

Munster players celebrate after the final whistle. Pic: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

1 Leadership 

A seasonal debut for Munster captain Tadhg Beirne was one of the catalysts for an authoritative performance at Croke Park but there were leaders everywhere for the men in red on Saturday.

The retirements of Stephen Archer, Dave Kilcoyne, Conor Murray and Peter O’Mahony at the end of last season removed a huge amount of experience from the Munster dressing room in one fell swoop. 

However, the new head coach has seen ready and willing replacements emerge and senior players such as Jack O’Donoghue, Tom Farrell and Diarmuid Barron have taken responsibility to support Beirne. 

Jack Crowley’s game management at fly-half and his ability to take the fight to Leinster was another prime example while Clayton McMillan’s policy of teasing out leadership traits in even the quietest of characters bore obvious fruit on Saturday.

2 Ambition and conviction 

Crowley was at the heart of everything good about Munster’s attacking appetite and willingness to roll the dice, be it on his own tryline, evading Leinster kick chasers with great footwork or seeing space to kick into in the opposition’s half.

Tom Farrell of Munster celebrates winning a turnover at Croke Park. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Munster were clinical too, their four tries grabbing a third bonus point of the new campaign coming off just 35 per cent possession.

There was also grit, determination and commitment in defence to deny Leo Cullen’s side’s attempts to get back on terms. Gavin Coombes held up Josh van der Flier over the line and Beirne’s colossal presence at the breakdown and the maul made for a very frustrating evening for the reigning champions. 

Meanwhile, there were 20 tackles apiece from Coombes, O’Donoghue and Fineen Wycherley as Munster rolled up their sleeves with an impressive work ethic.

3 Becoming hunters 

Munster had shown plenty of character to eke out narrow wins in rounds two and three at home to Cardiff and Edinburgh but their trip up the M7 for this derby encounter required something more.

McMillan found the right buttons to press in preparing his squad for battle against star-studded rivals who have enjoyed dominance in this fixture for the last decade or more. 

It was simple really, the New Zealander asked for a dogfight, for Munster not be hunted, but to become the hunters. His players duly delivered.