Celtic League Round-Up

Friday night was a good night in the Celtic League for the Irish provinces with
Leinster, Munster and Ulster winning their games and Connacht getting a well deserved
draw in Llanelli.

Leinster 35-12 Borders:

The contest was a lively one from the off, but it was the visitors who managed
the first score when Dunlea dived over at the left corner. Leinster responded
instantly thanks to an O’Meara penalty and they didn’t stop there. A try from
Brendan Burke was converted by O’Meara and eleven minutes later his kicking
was accurate again when he clocked up his second conversion after a flanker
Ronan’s try. But the game was far from over.

The Scottish side sneaked back into contention when Stuart got the touch down
leaving the score 20-12 in the Lions favour, thanks to another O’Meara penalty,
at the break. The second half was a scrappier affair, but the home crowd were
delighted when two Norton tries and another O’Meara conversion handed them a
much needed, spirit-boosting win.

Full Match Details at: www.leinsterrugby.ie

Glasgow 12-37 Munster:

A Mossie Lawlor penalty in the fifth minute sent them on their way and two
tries in quick succession through John Kelly and Martin McPhail blitzed the
opposition and set the scene for the Munster win.

In the second half, Glasgow tackled well as they tried to prevent the Munster
onslaught and all the visitors could manage to add to their tally was a Lawlor
penalty. Eventually Glasgow crumbled under the pressure and Rob Henderson was
given enough room to touch down before Lawlor converted again.

Midway through the half, the Munster side began to lose momentum and two home
tries courtesy of Graeme Morrison and Rory Kerr meant a tense few moments for
the Irish province. But they regained control when Lawlor and Barry Murphy both
went over and Lawlor converted on the two occasions to guarantee Munster a solid
away win.

Full Match Details at: www.munsterrugby.ie

Ulster 37-0 Edinburgh:

Adam Larkin opened the Ulster account with a penalty kick after just three
minutes and six minutes later the first try came from Tyrone Howe. Larkin converted
to move the side into a 10-0 lead, but they didn’t let up the pressure, even
for a second. The Irish province constantly threatened the Edinburgh line. Another
Larkin penalty followed by a second Howe try moved them into an 18-0 lead as
the half-time whistle sounded.

After the break Ulster picked continued their inspired form and Matt Sexton
was next to get in on the act when he touched down under the posts making the
conversion easy for Larkin. Replacement Paddy Wallace then guaranteed the bonus
point when he raced over the line and pushed the home side into a 30-0 lead.
And to rub salt into Edinburgh wounds, a converted Adam Larkin try on the stroke
of full time wrapped up proceedings nicely for the Ulster men.

Full Match Details at: www.ulsterrugby.ie

Llanelli 33-33 Connacht:

The game was close throughout and the opening quarter was a tough affair with
both sides battling hard. To penalties from Llanelli fly-half Gareth Bowen moved
his side 6-0 in front after just five minutes on play, but Connacht certainly
came up with the answers.

An Eric Elwood penalty, followed by a try from left-wing Wayne Munn rattled
the Llanelli side. But they managed to regain their composure and almost immediately
they had replied with a touch down of their own through lock Bryn Griffiths.
Elwood did manage another penalty for the Irish province, but a converted Llanelli
try moved the home side into a 20-13 lead at the break.

On the restart the Welsh side powered further ahead when Tal Selley touched
down inside the first minute and Connacht had a mountain to climb. But climb
it they did and a Matt Mostyn try saw them move back into contention, the scoreline
reading 27-18. Munn then managed a second try to set the scene for a dramatic
finish. The sides swapped penalties and Bowen’s strike in the 79th minute signalled
the end for the Connacht men, until Elwood found the target at the death.

Full Match Details at: www.connachtrugby.ie