{"id":23537,"date":"2021-10-16T17:27:00","date_gmt":"2021-10-16T21:27:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=23537"},"modified":"2021-10-18T10:31:43","modified_gmt":"2021-10-18T14:31:43","slug":"unbeaten-munster-edge-out-connacht-at-thomond-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=23537","title":{"rendered":"Unbeaten Munster Edge Out Connacht At Thomond Park"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Munster put themselves back ahead in the dying minutes of the game (INPHO\/Billy Stickland)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Diarmuid Barron\u2019s 78th-minute try proved decisive as Munster edged out Connacht in a rip-roaring 20-18 United Rugby Championship win at Thomond Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The all-important conversion was added by Joey Carbery, who just a few minutes earlier had been charged down by Player of the Match Jack Carty for the concession of seven points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, on the fifth anniversary of Anthony Foley\u2019s death, Munster pulled out a smash-and-grab victory to remain unbeaten after four rounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first interprovincial clash of the season was a typically bruising affair, Chris Cloete\u2019s late try sending Munster in at the break with a 7-6 lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two Carbery penalties sandwiched an unconverted effort from Connacht number eight Paul Boyle, but despite Carty\u2019s 70th-minute heroics, the Munster forwards had the final say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eager to bounce back to winning ways, a free-flowing first Connacht attack brought Mack Hansen in off the blindside wing and set up Carty\u2019s opening penalty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Connacht fly-half doubled the lead in the ninth minute, with Conor Oliver and Gavin Coombes soon trading turnover penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hansen had a try ruled out for a forward pass, but Bundee Aki was clearly reveling in the physicality of a niggly interprovincial tie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Busy flanker Cloete increased his influence at the breakdown, but the Munster line-out continued to misfire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sam Arnold\u2019s sin-binning for a swinging-arm tackle opened the door for the hosts, though, and they edged ahead on the stroke of half-time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cloete grounded the ball after Tadhg Beirne had hacked through from a pinpoint cross-field kick from Rory Scannell. Carbery converted, but Connacht felt aggrieved as Beirne appeared offside on the replays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Early in the second half, Cloete almost sniffed out a second try before Carbery knocked over his first penalty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Crucially, the Westerners hit back swiftly, with Boyle lunging over from a tap penalty. Carty\u2019s conversion hit the post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carbery nudged Munster back in front on the hour mark but it was his dithering on a clearance kick that allowed Carty to swoop for Connacht\u2019s try.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try as they might, Connacht\u2019s overworked defense could not hold out from relentless Munster pressure. Barron drove in low to score and Carbery nailed the kick.<\/p>\n

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