IT’S MAKE-OR-BREAK time for Munster in the European Champions Cup as they travel to London to face Saracens at Allianz Park.
Anthony Foley’s men know nothing less than a victory from their penultimate game of Pool 1 will be enough to give them a chance of progressing.
It’s backs-to-the-wall cup rugby but this is the sort of scenario Munster often thrive in. We should be set for a fascinating afternoon.
As always, we’d love to hear from you throughout the game. Send us your thoughts and comments via e-mail pauldollery@the42.ie, tweet us @the42_ie, find us on Facebook, or leave a comment below.
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Good afternoon and welcome to The42‘s live coverage of the heavyweight clash between Saracens and Munster from Allianz Park in London. The Irish province have reached the final four of Europe’s premier competition in each of the last two seasons but they’re in a precarious position in Pool 1 after back-to-back defeats to Clermont before Christmas.
The task for Anthony Foley’s side couldn’t be any clearer — win or bust. Kick-off is at 1pm.
We’re up and running at Allianz Park and it’s a good start for Munster who steal a Saracens lineout.
Apologies for our late arrival, folks. Some gremlins in the system here at The42 HQ have no respect for European Champions Cup rugby.
David Strettle was a late withdrawal for Sarries before the game.
Saracens 3-0 Munster
First blood to Saracens as Owen Farrell slots over a penalty for the home side in the ninth minute.
Munster scrum under huge pressure in the Saracens half and they’re penalised, much to the delight of the home fans.
The Red Army are out in force in North London.
Approaching the midway point of the first half and it’s a Munster scrum just inside their own 22. That one looks better.
Ambitious kick by Keatley deep into Saracens territory unfortunately goes a little too deep. “A beautiful kick,” according to Brian O’Driscoll. Unlucky. Saracens back on the attack.
TRY! Saracens 8-0 Munster
Saracens carve Munster open wide on the left and Chris Wyles gets in for the game’s opening try.
Simon Zebo taken out in the air under a high ball by Chris Ashton but the England wing escapes unpunished.
Munster desperate for a response.
Big blow for Munster as CJ Stander is forced off with an ankle injury. Dave O’Callaghan comes in to the back-row.
Saracens 13-0 Munster
Saracens extend their lead with another Farrell penalty just before the half-hour mark.
Munster could do with a score before the interval and they’ve won a penalty off the scrum. Keatley to go for the posts.
Saracens 13-3 Munster
Munster are on the board as Ian Keatley slots over that penalty nicely.
TRY! Saracens 18-3 Munster
Sarries with a quick-tap penalty, Wyles deftly kicks the ball into the path of Ashton, and he applies the finishing touch for his side’s second try.
Saracens 20-3 Munster
Farrell again makes no mistake with the boot. This is now a commanding lead as half-time approaches.
Another Saracens penalty on the verge of the break. Can Farrell give his side a 20-point lead at halfway?
Saracens 23-3 Munster
Farrell does it again. 13 points from his right boot in this first half.
HT Saracens 23-3 Munster
That was a pretty disappointing first-half for Munster and they’ve got a massive task on their hands in this second 40-minute period to get back in the game. Are things looking bleak, or can they produce another memorable come-back?
Our man Murray Kinsella is taking in the action at Allianz Park:
“A disastrous first half for Munster, who have been really poor so far. Missed tackles, kicks out on the full, poor shape in D, off their feet at ruck-time and spilled ball in attack. It’s an absolute mountain to climb and looking very unlikely now. Saracens have been really impressive to be fair, varying their game nicely with strong carrying, screen passes out the back door, some clever kicking and lovely counter-attacki
Munster fans ain’t happy, and understandably so.
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Paul O’Connell said earlier this week that this season could very well be his last for Munster. Are we witnessing the end for the great man in European club competition? Will Munster have anything to play for against Sale Sharks? They’ve got 40 minutes to salvage the campaign.
Munster are back out on the field doing some shuttle runs, bizarrely enough. They’re ready to hit the ground running in this second-half.
We’re about to resume at Allianz Park. Any hope for Munster? Is there anything to be said for another mass?
Munster edging towards the Sarries line but the hosts’ defence stands firm to win the penalty for not releasing.
Billy Vunipola has been causing a lot of problems for Munster… and Brian O’Driscoll, who can’t seem to work out how to pronounce his name.
Two Vunipolas in one passage of play. Tough times for Drico.
Keith Earls is in for Munster in place of Pat Howard. Munster could really do with some magic from the man from Limerick here.
A lot of sloppy errors from the visitors. “It’s just so un-Munster at the moment”, Brian O’Driscoll says on BT Sport. Lawrence Dallaglio adds: “If Saracens get one more score here its game over.”
Munster gathering some momentum and territory, but again they’re unable to go through the phases. Saracens force an error and Munster are penalised. Fourteen minutes played in the second-half. How does Anthony Foley get his side back in to this?
Oh dear…
Saracens 26-3 Munster
Seventeen minutes into the second half and we have our first score of this period as Owen Farrell splits the posts with his fourth penalty of the afternoon.
Saracens are knocking at the door for another try. Unfortunately for Munster fans, there’s no sign of a revival here. It’s mostly one-way traffic and you’d worry about the floodgates opening if Sarries manage to get over again.
The Saracens number eight has been a wrecking ball today.
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Eusebio Guinazu and Stephen Archer have replaced Duncan Casey and BJ Botha in the Munster front-row as Anthony Foley looks for more success at scrum-time.
Another penalty for Saracens but for the first time today, Farrell’s radar is dodgy. He sends it off to the left of the target.
Munster are down to fourteen men for the next ten minutes. James Cronin has been sent to the sin bin — for “tackling without the ball” according to referee Roman Poite.
Munster’s frustrations bubbling over.
There’s been a bit of a scuffle, with Peter O’Mahony and Jacques Burger at the centre of it. It looks fairly innocuous but Roman Poite asks for the assistance of the TMO. No one is reprimanded though, and rightly so.
TRY! Saracens 26-8 Munster
Brilliant break from Peter O’Mahony opens up the Saracens defence and Denis Hurley eventually goes over for a Munster try.
Saracens 26-10 Munster
Keatley with the conversion for Munster. Still more than two converted tries between the teams and eight minutes remain. Too little, too late?
The captain hasn’t given up hope just yet.
TRY! Saracens 31-10 Munster
Game most certainly over now. Your favourite winger Chris Ashton with his second try of the game.
Saracens 33-10 Munster
Farrell adds the conversion. Saracens have five minutes to chase the bonus point. Roman Poite tripped over a Munster player and injured himself in the build-up to that try so Christophe Berdos will referee the closing stages of this game.
JJ Hanrahan has come on for Ian Keatley but it’s a bit late for the Northampton-bound man to make much of an impact. Ronan O’Mahony and Billy Holland have also replaced Simon Zebo and Dave Foley.
Two minutes left on the clock. Munster are about to lose three successive European games for the first time.
“Saracens are having so much fun out here, they’d gladly go for another 80 minutes.”
Rub it in why don’t ya, BOD? O’Driscoll gives Billy Vunipola the man-of-the-match award, unsurprisingly.
FT: Saracens 33-10 Munster
For only the second time in 17 seasons, Munster won’t be moving on to the quarter-finals of Europe’s premier competition. A disappointing day for Anthony Foley’s team in London and their campaign is over. Saracens were impressive, however, and they’ve given themselves a chance of moving on to the last eight as they get ready to travel to Clermont next weekend.
Where do Munster go from here, Reds fans?
Murray Kinsella was at Allianz Park for The42 this afternoon. Read his account of the action HERE.
Thanks for joining us for today’s liveblog. It wasn’t the result Munster wanted, unfortunately. Here’s the proof that their European Champions Cup campaign won’t be progressing beyond the pool stages…
Boom boom boom boom everybody say Mayo!
@Eamonn McColgan II: Mayo make history like Galway 2 weeks ago. There is all to play for remember there was a replay last year.
Must be serious pressure on the Dubs today. Imagine loosing to a team of amateurs.
@mickmc: jeez mayo are by no means amateurs
@Alison Maguire: No it’s no surprised the two best funded county got to the final.
@mickmc: why how much did each of those county’s spend on players ??
@Nucky: your alive,any chance you can come back and put neenee/alan back in his box
@j lad: think I just did
@Nucky: well enough “expense” or handy numbers to ensure they can train professionally without the hindrance of a job.
@mickmc: Learn to spell imbecile
@mickmc: aww boohoo things are only a hindrance if you let them be
@mickmc: I respect the Dubs and their fans but not tits like you who troll online! May the best team win today!
O’Gara lucky to be on pitch! Knackery thing to do
@Adrian Costigan: gouging. Low act
@Cathal: knowing the GAA will prob get an 8 week ban, be back for first round of o’byrne cup in January!
Ref is giving everything to Dublin
@Gerry Murphy: what game are you watchin
Dublin foul themselves and get a free in lol
@Simon: This Game is Archive Available Here ————> http://nfl.onair.host/
If ever there was a game that the best team lost this was it
Not a hope
A draw today and Mayo to win the replay at home in Castlebar
@TravellingTheWorld: Good News All Soccer Fan,
Today Game Watch Live stream Fllow This…….. http://soccer.onair.host/
Come on Mayo, stuff the jackeens
@Declan Moran: yjuykiuytok7u6ou
@Declan Moran: Great News All Soccer Fan,
Today Game Watch Live stream Fllow This…….. http://soccer.onair.host/
@Anika Swift: this isn’t soccer
@Declan Moran: Thanks Anika. I need this after that fcuking sh!te today
Classy bit of eye gouging caught on camera by O’Gara.
@Bríd Uí Mhaoluala: nice elbow by keegan into back of coopers head
Referee is shocking in my opinion. Neutral supporter here
Mayo by 2
How many men have to hang out of Aidan O’Shea for him to get a free?
People really are underestimating this Dublin team and don’t realize how good they are. This is a team that you’ll only see once every generation, kinda like the Kerry team of the 70′s/80′s. They will beat Mayo today, and I believe they’ll do it quite handily. The firepower that Dublin have on the bench is the crucial aspect of this game. Once the benches come into play around the 45min mark you’ll see the Dubs pull away. I take Dublin by 5-7 points.
@Stephen Duggan: Not really…………….at half time!
@Stephen Duggan: Best Team ever my arse.
@Ewan Scott: I agree, poor first half. But no All Ireland is ever won at half time.
@Ewan Scott: Where did I say ‘best team ever?’
@Ewan Scott: champions
@Ewan Scott: Now you agree up The Dubs
@Michael McCormack: sorry to say o don’t Michael
@Paul Furey: were at full time
Go néirí an tádh leis an bhfoireann is fearr. COYBIB
@architects: Is feidir leat labhairt i nGaeilge ach tá tú fós ar “shoneen” -
@Old Gabby Johnson: ___Is buaiteoir é mar atá gach I mBaile Átha Cliath ar lá atá againn inniu ann! COYBIB
@George Hogan: Let the good times roll! COYBIB
Before the first ad break at half time RTE did their usual montage of highlights. One was a Dublin player eye gouging a Mayo player. No mention of it anywhere, unless I missed commentary on it.
@Thomas O’ Donnell: don’t worry Thomas. The Sunday game crew will lobby to get him a long suspension later on. Mark my words
Referee seems to have forgotten his cards for mayo
Mayo 1-16 Dublin 1-14
Ref doing his best to make a bo**ix of it as usual.
What was Vaughan thinking about. What an absolute eejit
COYBIB!!!
@Billy Connelly: The whole country is rooting for the Jacks to lose…
@TravellingTheWorld: Typical spiteful culchies;)
@Billy Connelly: the journal send notifications for the Chelsea match but not the all ireland final.???? What’s more important.
@Joe Travers: neither is more important than the other they are just two sporting contests. I’m getting Journal notifications for both so I’d check your phone.
@Joe Travers: Hi Joe. You can get notifications if you scroll up to the top of the page and click into ‘live blog’ and turn on ‘important events’. Enjoy the game.
Mayo for ham
Cluxton kick outs amazing…..when he’s kicking 10 yrds to free man! Other than that he’s bottled them
If Mayo had another forward other than Andy Moran they would be further ahead, Cillian O Connor very over rated
He’s having a very poor game so far
Come On Ye Boys In Blue
You’re some West of Ireland man Paul Scanlon …. tosser!
@SYM-Metal: says a roscommon dik head
Dublin Joe at it again.No way Donal Vaughan should have sent off.Joe couldn’t have Dublin a man down.Could he and he has given them the space on pitch they need.Well done.
@Mary Ryan: go back to washin the dishes 2 reds cards deserved, if Vaughan had of stayed out of it dubs were down to 14 and mayo were in the driving seat idiot of a player
@Mary Ryan: intentional striking or attempting to strike an opponent is a straight red! You will vary rarely see a clearer example
As a donegal man well played by both sides. Best final ive seen in a long time..
Vaughan has just handed the all Ireland to Dublin, Muppet
Fair play to the Dubs. Deserved 3 in a row.
So, we see how good the dubs are when they’re tested, NOT so great
@Declan Moran: champions 3 in a row
Some dirty tactics by Dublin and poor refereeing decisions all going Dublin’ s way..
Mayo were the better team..
@Patrick j Brady: hahahahahaha. And what about Mayos dragging and taking players out. Even the last free he swung his boot towards Rock as he was taking it.
@Patrick j Brady: Most of the off the ball dirty play came from Mayo
It’s the ref that badly needs a boot!! Too many incidents not picked up on
Mayo must take their points. Way too many wides.
Only 2 scores for Dublin in the 1st 20 mins. Dean Rock has started the game poorly and McCaffrey will be a big loss.
Also has to be said that Cilllan O Connor has been very poor for Mayo – just as well Moran and Doherty are doing great so far
Agree John
Donal Vaughan.
Dublin – much more experienced at this level, awesome firepower available to replace anyone misfiring on the day and side full of confidence, united and determined. Pressure is on Mayo to take it off the Dubs.
I’m trying to watch on rte player it’s bad anyone any ideas what’s wrong or any stream to watch
@Donal O Cofaigh: mobdro? Not great quality by any means but it works. Both on rte and sky.
@Malvolio32: found one on you tube gaa hd live , excellent quality, thanks for reply
@Donal O Cofaigh: watching RTE on Mobdro and have a much better stream than the RTE player app
Gutted for mayo : (
Go on Mayo
Vaughan , full qualified velvet ears !!!!
How many steps did Rock run for that point ? Mayo hard done by
Another home win for Dublin
@TravellingTheWorld: yes and delighted. No better feeling than the capital winning in the capital.
Mayo hahahaha ,
Weren’t u hoping mayo would win 2 weeks ago! Hypocrite
Poor Mayo, if Vaughan had kept his head things could very different. Hard luck… once again. COYBIB!!!!!!!!
mayo ony themselves to blame.in the last 10 minutes too many mayo players went missin.Dublin didn’t even play well
@Michael cunnane: or weren’t let play well??
HT. Dublin are very poor so far.Jack Mac huge loss .Eoin o Gara has to go if Dublin are to win but this will be close and could be a another draw.
Unlucky mayo. Was an enjoyable game of football to watch. Heart in the mouth stuff at the end. Thought a draw was a fair result to be honest and a replay but hope to see use back at the final stage next year for another battle. Up the dubs
MAYO CHEATED BY THUGS
@Pat Butler: always with the excuses. Annual bottlers.
That last COC free kick which came off the post…..no Mayo player at the ready to pounce on rebound!
The Vaughan incident, very costly…when cool heads and calmness required in the heat of that moment…a red mist descends on Donie.
Thrilling game. End to end stuff! Hard luck Mayo. Congrats to Dubs.
All in all 2017 a great year’s GAA matches.
Dublin didn’t deserve to win today Mayo did. O am sickened by how poor the ref was at that game…..
@Robert McMahon: Agreed
@Robert McMahon: of course Dublin deserved to win. They battled on and scored more points when playing poorly. That’s the definition of a winning team.
Gooooaaaaallllllll Mayo
Keep it up Nayo
@Paul: that’s what the dubs call a donkey!
Loss of McCaffrey was massive for Dublin. Dublins best players always seem to get injured against mayo. Every time they play. It’s amazing.
Mayo should be further ahead.
Connolly to score the winner :)
O Connor has to get into the game if mayo want to win.
C’mon Sinéad! Have Dublin shown up? Often late for GAA.
Mayo struggling to break dubs blanket defence.
That curse stands. If I was those two remaining players from 55 I’d be in wit pro.
Really not impressed by this at all. The skill level is very low. Both these teams would get monstered by 100 points if they took on the Ireland rugby team in a rugby match.
Bunch of amateurs.
@beni gabor: poor attempt at Trolling
@beni gabor: g8 b8 m8
Great game of football. Fair play to Dublin, dispite not playing well im the first half, They managed to keep their composer, and take their scores. A close finish but the best team won on the day.
What would have happened if we won desperate dan? Would u have gone into hiding? Joke of a gaa “fan”
Donal Vaughan cost Mayo that match. Devastating for everyone concerned to have to put up with such stupidity.
Is it me or are they playing for a replay? Not playing more like..
@Mike Foley: maybe not.. dublin just scored
@Mike Foley: well no one can say the ref didn’t do his bit.
I thought the dubs were on the GAA payroll if they went on for a replay
So close ,gutted but they gave yas a run for your money
What a clown you are Vaughan , had the advantage & pissed away coz you’re a hot head fool
Can’t blame a so called curse for that. A stupid red card cost them in the end. Absolutely brainless.
Dirty smackheads
Cmon Mayo cursed jaysus beat the dubs
Whens the blame the ref and dirty dublin gonna start well done dublin great game, Respect to mayo great team