MUNSTER suffered a 12-33 defeat to arch-rivals Leinster in an opening pre-season friendly at a full Musgrave Park yesterday (Friday September 8).
In Mediterranean conditions in Cork, a promising start had Munster into an early lead courtesy of a Scott Buckley try, which Tony Butler converted. However, Leinster responded with a whopping 26 unanswered points to lead 7-26 at the break.
The second-half was much closer with Diarmuid Mangan’s try and Charlie Tector’s conversion extending Leinster’s lead to 7-33.
Munster did respond with a well-worked try from débutante Stephen Kiely (Old Crescent) but it was too little too late as Leinster claimed a deserved win.
Outside of Kiely, there were also first starts with Munster by Evan O’Connell (UL Bohemian), Shay McCarthy of Young Munster, and Shannon’s Kieran Ryan.
Munster are away to Connacht on Friday September 22 and eight days later entertain the Barbarians in a double-header with the women’s sides also set to line out at Thomond Park.
