Pool B Pacesetters Meet In Nenagh
Ian Nagle’s bonus point try in the 20-13 victory over Coventry has Munster top of Pool B in the British & Irish Cup, ahead of their first home game of the new cross border competition this Friday at Nenagh Ormond RFC.
History will be made at New Ormond Park in Lisatunny on Friday when Munster host second-placed Bristol in their first home match in the inaugural British & Irish Cup (kick-off 7.30pm).
Tickets for the game, priced at adult €;10, children €;3 and family (2+2) €;20, are available to purchase here, while they are also on sale at the following locations in Nenagh: Talbot’s Menswear, Mitchell St, Dapp Inn, Sarsfield St, Gilmartin Auctioneers, Pearse St and Una Powell’s, Summerhill.
The Nenagh Brass Band will provide entertainment before the game, with a live post-match band and a BBQ also planned. There will also be a commemorative match programme on sale for €;3 in the club grounds.
Friday’s opponents, Bristol, claimed an 18-11 win away to Neath in their Pool B opener last week.
Reflecting on Munster’s 20-13 success at Coventry, assistant coach Ian Costello was pleased with the manner in which his charges defended when the home side came looking for what could have been the equalising score.
“We had to defend very, very strongly to keep Coventry out, and in fairness to the lads in the last 10 to 15 fifteen minutes, they showed great character,” said Costello.
“I know they scored late to cut the gap to seven points and we’d been under pressure for about 15 minutes before that as well.
“Physically they were definitely a bigger side than we were. They played clever rugby, getting themselves into parts of the field where they could use their maul – it was a very effective maul.
“I don’t know really if we took our foot off the gas after we got that fourth try. Sometimes I suppose that can happen.”
With tries from the impressive Duncan Williams, skipper James Coughlan and centre Tom Gleeson, Munster were 15-3 up at half-time and that situation improved minutes after the restart when lock Ian Nagle scored their bonus point try.
“We probably scored two tries against the run of play but we created a few half chances and finished them very very well, so we were quite pleased with that.
“We came out in the second half, scored very early and thought we’d kick on from there but with 20 minutes to go Coventry dominated the game and to the finish, it was all them.
“But the attitude from our players was outstanding. The approach the lads took, the intensity they brought to the game was all top class,” added the Kerry-born coach.
“We didn’t get enough possession. We were living off limited ball. But to get five points on your first away trip was very pleasing.”