Munster Follow Leinster into Celtic Final

Five Ronan O’Gara penalties were enough to give Munster victory over Ulster in the second Celtic League semi-final, a win that pits Declan Kidney side against Leinster in next Saturday’s final

Five Ronan O’Gara penalties were enough to give Munster victory over Ulster in the second Celtic League semi-final, a win that pits Declan Kidney side against Leinster in next Saturday’s final. In the end the winning margin was just six points (15-9) but it was a match dominated for long periods by the Munster side and they were deserving and convincing winners.

They dominated the opening half and they went into the lead when O’Gara kicked a fifth minute penalty. A second followed in the 18th minute as Munster continued to press. The should have gone further ahead after a rolling maul took play from the half wa to the Ulster 22 but O’Gara was wide of the mark, with this, the easiest of his three efforts.

He made amends five minutes later to put Munster nine points clear – small reward for all their territorial dominance. On one of their rare visits into the Munster half, Ulster won a penalty and David Humphreys lashed over the kick from 35 metres.. Munster returned to the attack but again, O’Gara pulled a penalty effort, left and aide after Peter Stringer had been tripped by Humphreys. If Ulster were fortunate to be just six points down at the break then they were even more fortunate that their number 10 hadn’t been yellow carded for that offence. s

Humphreys landed an early second half penalty before two O’Gara efforts in the 46th and 55th minutes pushed Munster two scores clear. Humphreys tried two long range efforts, both from just inside his own half, both fell just short. But with minutes to go he kicked his third to leave just six points separating the sides and ensure a tense finisih.

However Munster played out the dramain the Ulster half and defended magnificently to secure their place in the final.

Munster. Dominic Crotty Jeremy Staunton); John Kelly John O’Neill temp), Michael Mullins, Jason Holland, Anthony Horgan; Ronan O’Gara, Peter Stringer; Marcus Horan (Martin Cahill), Frank Sheahan, Peter Clohessy; Michael Galwey, Paul O’Connell (Mick O’Driscoll); Jim Williams, Alan Quinlan, Anthony Foley.

Ulster. Paddy Wallace; Sheldon Coulter, Adam Larkin (Adam Larkin), Jonathan Bell, Tyrone Howe; David Humphreys, Neil Doak; Justin Fitzpatrick, Paul Shields, Simon Best; Mark Blair (Paddy Johns), Gary Longwell; Tony McWhirter, Andy Ward, Russell Nelson.

Referee. I Ramage (Scotland).