Munster Young Guns Edged Out By Edinburgh In Cork

Eroni Sau’s 62nd-minute try saw Edinburgh win a close GUINNESS PRO14 contest 18-16 at Irish Independent Park, as Munster fell to their first home defeat in just under two years.

There was nothing to separate the teams at the end of an entertaining first half, with Matt Scott crossing after a barely a minute and Tommy O’Donnell’s late effort levelling it at 10 points apiece.

On his first PRO14 start, the impressive Ben Healy kicked 11 points for a youthful Munster side – including two second half penalties – but Blair Kinghorn’s cross-field kick set up Sau’s crucial touchdown as the Scots stood firm to secure a famous win in Cork.

Edinburgh’s hopes of a first away victory over Munster since September 2014 were raised significantly by Scott’s early seven-pointer. A five-metre scrum was the launchpad for the Scotland centre to stretch over the line, and Jaco van der Walt tagged on the extras.

Lineout errors thwarted both sides’ progress until van der Walt made it a double-figures lead with a well-struck 20th-minute penalty from 40 metres out. 20-year-old prospect Healy hit back a few minutes later, landing his first points for Munster.

Johann van Graan’s men had been led out by prop Stephen Archer on the occasion of his 200th cap, and they enjoyed a purple patch close to the interval. Flanker O’Donnell burrowed over at the end of 23 strength-sapping phases, allowing Healy to kick them level.

Edinburgh carried more of a threat in the backs, as Henry Pyrgos and Blair Kinghorn both made breaks, but a terrific Healy strike from distance handed Munster the lead for the first time, early on the resumption.

The Conference B leaders’ stand-in captain Jack O’Donoghue – the eventual man-of-the-match – brilliantly brought down Pierre Schoeman to deny him a certain try, aided by the covering Shane Daly and Calvin Nash. Healy then punished a high tackle with his third successful penalty.

However, replacement Simon Hickey was quick to respond from the tee to close the gap to 16-13, and following some resolute defence, Edinburgh got back on the attack for Kinghorn to skilfully kick out to the right wing and connect with Fijian Sau, who swivelled and gathered to edge his side back in front.

Although Hickey missed the difficult conversion, Munster, who were unbeaten at home since their December 2017 loss to Leinster, were left frustrated by their own errors and Edinburgh’s dogged defence. The Scottish capital club are now just two points behind Munster at the top of Conference B.

Munster boss van Graan said afterwards: “We had opportunities and this is one that got away from us. I’m very disappointed we lost the game but for the next group of guys to come in— I think we were 19 or 20 guys we didn’t consider for selection for this one — and we were within one penalty kick of winning it.

“It was Ben Healy’s first game at this level. He’s been training with the senior squad since the start of pre-season and he went to the Champions Cup games (against the Ospreys and Racing) and we warmed him up.

“Like I said at the beginning of the year, it’s important we don’t just throw fellas in. You have got to throw them in at the right time.

“You had JJ (Hanrahan) and Rory (Scannell) the whole week guiding him through it. I was impressed with his goal-kicking and straight after half-time to slot that kick to go 13-10. I think that’s the secret, you have got to make your squad work and I’m very glad that we are backing our squad.”