That’s all from me for this evening ladies and gents.

I need a cup of tea after that.

Your company, as always, is most welcome. Hopefully you enjoyed that game as much as I did.

Match reports and reaction to follow on the42.ie

Over and out.

What a performance by Connacht. They can be called the minnows of Irish rugby no more.

They deserved to win by more and played an exciting brand of rugby.

Muldoon, Muldowney, Aki and Henshaw led the way. Excellent skills on show and a thoroughly enjoyable game of rugby.

Muldoon was just four years old when Connacht last won in Limerick. What a night for Connacht rugby.

FT: Munster 12 Connacht 18, Connacht stay top of table with first win in Thomond Park since 1986.

Incredible stuff from Aki and Henshaw, Connacht’s two players with genuine claims of being called world-class. Henshaw with an incredible off-load as he is tackled to ground. Aki holds tight before an emphatic one-handed, acrobatic touchdown in the corner.

That was special.

What a try! Munster 12 Connacht 18, 78 mins

Pass looks good to me, checking grounding now.

TMO decision -  Aki is over in the corner after an incredible offload by Henshaw, did that go forward?

Great grubber kick and chase by Matt Healy down the left. He makes 30 metres for the men from the west. Connacht deserve this win. This is the kind of performance that makes fans beam with pride.

But you don’t always get what you deserve…

Ah, the old commentator’s curse strikes again – they turn it over rather sloppily and Munster make their way into Connacht territory.

Munster’s fresh legs are making an impact here with Duncan Williams, Denis Hurley and Dave Kilcoyne prominent.

This is will test Connacht’s mettle –  but they have Muldoon back and they have the ball again.

Connacht holding on to the ball well here. Excellent game management.

But this Connacht team are made of stern stuff. They might be down to 14 but their forwards are flying. Great counter-ruck by Connacht on the Munster 22 and referee Ben Whitehouse awards them a penalty.

But Ronaldson fluffs his lines – it’s windy but that’s a terrible miss, particularly from a left-footer just right of the posts.

Munster are on a march now. They’ve sprung to life. They’re going for the jugular – this game is on a knife-edge.

Down to 14 men with their inspirational captain in the bin, all the momentum is with Munster now.

This is going to be an enthralling final 11 minutes.

A great break from Keatley. He looks for Conway on his inside but the Munster fullback is tackled by Muldoon before the ball reaches him. Referee sends Muldoon to the bin and awards a penalty try. Looks pretty harsh, a penalty offence and a yellow card maybe – no more than that.

Keatley adds the extras.

Game on in Thomond.

Penalty try - Munster 12 Connacht 13, 66 mins

Muldoon nearly in for another turnover but knock-on is given against Connacht. Pat Lam’s side are going to be tough to beat today. They’re very organised and giving Munster nothing easily.

Munster 5 Connacht 13

Muldoon responds in kind though, the Connacht skipper winning a penalty straight in front of the posts, 33 metres out.

And Ronaldson strikes it well and the flags are raised. Connacht lead out to eight points.

More great work from Saili, wins a smashing turnover as he sets up a choke tackle and Munster men swarm in to hold the ball up.

And true to form, their lineout lets them down again. Connacht clear their lines.

Sloppy hands from Ryan, he really should have held on to that lineout throw.

Saili is coming into this game a bit more, showing some silky skills. Much better from Munster – they’ve been the better side in the second half and have earned themselves a penalty on the Connacht 22. And they kick for the corner.

Probably maul time but their lineout has looked ropey.

Scrum for Connacht and Munster put them in all sorts of bother. Connacht on the backfoot in their own territory for probably the first time today.

Couple of knock-ons – these stoppages are taking the sting out of this which would be a shame. Both sides have looked dangerous with ball in hand.

Munster get the penalty as Aki’s high shot was the first offence. Game has been much more stop-start in the second half.

Referee has gone to TMO to check two high tackles. One by Aki which looked pretty high and the other by Earls on Henshaw. Nothing particularly malicious – both look like penalties and nothing more.

Munster playing into the wind and struggling to get out of their 22. Great spot for an attacking Connacht lineout. But their set piece lets them down and Munster turn it over.

What a kick from Henshaw, from just outside his 22 he launches the ball skyward and behind Munster winger Amorosino. He gets a fortunate bounce into touch but it was deserved for his vision – a touch of class from the Ireland international.

Munster’s back row have clearly been told to get carrying the ball by Foley at halftime. Stander and Copeland with strong carries already as Munster move into Connacht territory. Much better from the home team.

And Healy almost scoops the ball straight from the restart to go over but the ball skids away from his fingers.

And MacGinty gets the second stanza under way.

Teams are back out for the second half. No changes in personnel.

Game is on Sky Sports 4 for those of you asking.

That was much better than expected – all the talk was about the weather before this game but the players have managed to play attractive, free-flowing, running rugby.

Connacht deservedly in front and in truth, deserve to be ahead a little bit more. Munster have improved as the game developed and have looked dangerous when in Connacht territory.

Hopefully the second half can match the first for quality.

HT: Munster 5 Connacht 10.

MacGinty has impressed at 10 for Connacht, distributing it well.

Nice move down the right-hand side and the USA international’s long pass finds O’Halloran, who loses his footing at the vital moment. Munster turn it over though as Connacht player goes off his feet.

Munster fans belting out Fields of Athenry – their favourite Connacht tune.

Connacht still carrying with intent, Aki the standout man on the field. Scrum for just outside their 22.

Connacht with a lineout on the Munster 10m line. Solid lineout from Lam’s side. Picking and going like it’s going out of fashion.

Both sides are attacking well. Off-loads aplenty and loads of running rugby. This is shaping up nicely – very entertaining 30-odd minutes.

Munster break down the right and O’Leary puts a kick in. Full-back Henshaw is well up to the challenge though and clears his lines well. He’s had a very solid first 30 minutes.

Munster have definitely woken up now, a clear lift in their defensive intensity.They have a lineout on halfway and Scannell finds his jumper. But Connacht manage a turnover.

But lineout misfires and ball is turned over. Munster with a 22 drop-out to come.

Munster are defending a bit better now. Smashing turnover by Donnacha Ryan and Keatley finds touch in the Connacht half.

And Munster’s maul does the business. Munster hooker Niall Scannell gets over from the back of the maul. Very organised move by Munster. One bit of territory and five points scored. Keatley misses the extras.

Try Scannell, Munster 5 Connacht 10, 22 mins

Great take by Henshaw, taking a Garryowen on his own line. But it was advantage Munster and they have another attacking lineout. Maul, take two

Munster, though, have an opportunity to get back into it straight away with a penalty on the 10-metre line. And Keatley kicks for touch – maul to come surely.

Try for O’Halloran. The winger glides through a static Munster defence and try is awarded after TMO checks for a block in the build-up. Ronaldson converts.

Try, O’Halloran Munster 0 Connacht10, 18mins

TMO - O’Halloran dives over in the right corner after a great line break. TMO checking for a block in the build-up. Looks pretty good to me.

Saili with a big hit on compatriot Aki – that’s going to be a tasty battle. Connacht just outside the Munster 22 again.

Connacht with the ball again, retaining it really well. Munster not getting a sniff.

And he makes no mistake, Connacht well-deservedly in front.

It’s been all Connacht so far but Munster get a crucial steal on their line and Saili clears their lines. But Connacht are right back at them after a quick lineout and have won a penalty for a high tackle. Ronaldson to go for the posts from five metres outside the 22.

Connacht have an attacking scrum inside Munster’s 22, making metres with ease. Great attacking move but Ultan Dillane is held up well just short of the line. Five-metre scrum it is.

Connacht are chucking it about with confidence and finding plenty of gaps in the Munster midfield.

Penalty to Connacht on their 10-metre line as Conway enters the ruck from the side. MacGinty brings his side into Munster territory.

Solid first scrum from Munster, O’Leary with a break down the right touchline. Been a bright start to this game, players coping well with the conditions.

Bundee Aki has already been impressive with the game less than 90 seconds old. Connacht retaining the ball well and have worked their way up to Munster’s 10-metre line, only to lose the ball. Scrum Munster.

And Ian Keatley gets the game under way.

Muldoon fields it easily and Connacht get to work, running it from their 22.

Some serious speed in Munster’s back three and midfield, but will they get a chance to use it?

Just five minutes to go, the wind is howling in Limerick.

Thomond Park looking well despite that murky sky.

Nigel Owens has just called for full-time in this afternoon’s other fixture with Ospreys seeing off Cardiff 13-6.

But with both Welsh sides languishing at the wrong end of the table, it doesn’t affect a whole lot. Ospreys stay in eighth spot and Cardiff remain just one off the bottom.

Mucky day across the water too.

Although conditions aren’t ideal for running rugby tonight. Wrap up well kids.

This should whet the appetite a bit, highlights from this fixture at the end of March. If this fixture plays out any way similar, we’re in for a treat.

It’s a shame Zebo’s tidy handling skills won’t be on show today.

For Connacht, Robbie Henshaw starts at full-back for the second time this season while United States international and former Blackrock College student AJ MacGinty makes his first start in the Pro12.

Matt Healy returns from injury to take his place on the left wing while Tiernan O’Halloran is named on the right.

Craig Ronaldson is promoted from the bench to line out in a midfield partnership with the only player to have started every game this season, Bundee Aki.

In the pack, only two players, Nathan White and Eoghan Masterson, are recalled from last week. Denis Buckley and Academy hooker Shane Delahunt make up the front row with White while Ultan Dillane and Aly Muldowney start together in the second row for the second time this season.

John Muldoon returns to captain the side in a back row with Masterson at 8 and academy flanker James Connolly who will make also his Pro12 debut in Limerick.

Connacht

15. Robbie Henshaw
14. Tiernan O’Halloran
13. Bundee Aki
12. Craig Ronaldson
11. Matt Healy
10. AJ MacGinty
9. Kieran Marmion

1. Denis Buckley
2. Shane Delahunt
3. Nathan White
4. Ultan Dillane
5. Aly Muldowney
6. John Muldoon (captain)
7. James Connolly
8. Eoghan Masterson

Replacements:
16. Dave Heffernan
17. Ronan Loughney
18. Finlay Bealham
19. George Naoupu
20. Sean O’Brien
21. Ian Porter
22. Jack Carty
23. Darragh Leader

Anthony Foley has given former Ireland Under-20 captain Niall Scannell his first start of the season at hooker with Duncan Casey and Mike Sherry missing through injury.

Keith Earls is back in the midfield in what has the potential to be a very exciting partnership with former All Black Franci Saili.

Argentina international Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino makes his first start for the province on the left wing and Gerhard van den Heever comes in on the right.

Tomás O’Leary starts at scrum-half with Conor Murray missing for Munster, along with Simon Zebo.

Munster

15. Andrew Conway
14. Gerhard van den Heever
13. Keith Earls
12. Francis Saili
11. Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino
10. Ian Keatley
9. Tomás O’Leary

1. James Cronin
2. Niall Scannell
3. BJ Botha
4. Donnacha Ryan
5. Mark Chisholm
6. CJ Stander (c)
7. Jack O’Donoghue
8. Robin Copeland

Replacements:

16. Kevin O’Byrne
17. Dave Kilcoyne
18. John Ryan
19. Dave Foley
20. Jordan Coghlan
21. Duncan Williams
22. Rory Scannell
23. Denis Hurley

Hello and welcome to our live blog for tonight’s interprovincial clash between Munster and Connacht in Thomond Park.

Connacht are sitting on top of the Pro12 table on 28 points but Munster are just a point behind in third, so the winner of this clash will be top of the table tonight.

As confident as Connacht will be after their excellent start to the season, Munster have won their last 13 home games in the competition and haven’t lost to the westerners in Thomond Park since 1986.

This promises to be a cracker –  well, better than last night’s Leinster-Ulster game at least.