FOR A LONG time in this match it looked as though the story had been written – a solid but unspectacular Munster win that does little for their quarter-final aspirations.
Thomond Park, however, is the spot for late drama and frantic rewrites.
Munster led 6-0 at half-time and must have trudged in at the break wondering how they were not at least one try and a double-figure lead to the good.
Even after Conor Murray dived over under the posts, there was little buzz around the ground over the possibility of recording a bonus point win.
With Saracens getting their second win in succession, an extra point for the fourth try was already an imperative.
Somehow, within the space of nine crazy minutes at the end of the match, Munster had pummelled Edinburgh into submission and walked away with five points.
Murray, Peter O’Mahony and Sean Dougall scored three of the four tries (the clincher coming from Damien Varley) but the impact of the old-guard should not be overlooked.
POC and DOC
Donncha O’Callaghan was back in the starting line-up after missing the trip to France last weekend. Playing at lock to allow Donnacha Ryan to continue at six, O’Callaghan was at his bristling best.
He won his team crucial scrums and penalties and provided a reliable lineout option all afternoon.
Paul O’Connell was good for 40 minutes against Racing Metro last week. He was untouchable for 60 minutes today and did more than enough to set his side on the road to victory.
Two lineout steals in the first-half delivered crucial attacking ball but disrupted Edinburgh’s pack so much that they had a 30-second conference with hooker Ross Ford every time he had a throw to make.
O’Connell even showed up on the right wing in one Munster attack and only a gazelle-like run and try will prevent most from giving his performance the perfect ’10′.
Doug Howlett also stepped up for the thirtysomethings and was terrific in the air and once again a major threat on his wing.
Tunnel vision
Munster coach Rob Penney admitted to TheScore.ie after the match that his side was only on the upward curve from the inevitable “pit” that comes with changing a playing mindset.
His side were more than eager to throw the ball about and run themselves out of, or into, trouble as they did at Ravenhill earlier in the season and against Racing last week.
They reverted back to the Munster way of battering ram rugby and rolling mauls from secured lineout ball. Young players like Dougall and O’Mahony have perhaps realised that there is a time for the expansive game and a time to make space by doling out bruises.
“There’s light at the end of the tunnel,” Penney remarked.
After witnessing his first European miracle-job at Thomond Park, the Kiwi coach may be on to something.
New talent, what are you on about?
This is the youngest Munster team since ROG and Strings were under Mick Galweys arms back in the late 90s.
Kilcoyne, JJ Hanrahan, Sherry, Dave O’Callaghan, Butler, Murray, Holland, Dougall, Peter O’Mahoney all played today and all have under 10 caps in the Heineken Cup. Average age of the squad is very young now, bodes well for the future
Agreed. Except that billy holland is 27, which isn’t “young” the way that Murray or O’Mahony are “young”.
I get what you’re saying about age but I mean ‘young’ in terms of caps and experience in the Heineken Cup. Holland was captain of the As last season and has made the push into the seniors this season. Even Donnacha Ryan had to wait until around this age to push through. James Coughlan only cemented his place a couple of seasons back when he was in his late 20s.
Save for a few experienced players like POC, DOC, Botha and Howlett, this is as young a starting Munster side as we’ve seen in the professional era.
It was amazing to see Munster playing proper Munster style rugby again. It was back to bash them up and tire them out for 50 or 60 mins, then let rip and reap points. Although lacking polish it was great to see them returning to the formula that saw them at their heights. McGahan was a terrible coach who tried to get Munster to play a game that wasn’t their own, today Munster showed people they can still play good rugby. There’s a way to go yet but they finally seem on the right path, something mcgahan never managed! I hope Penney keeps them goin this way. Great to see.
They’re still a team short of money, new talent and in decline.
P.S. I’m from Munster.
Some fair points there but Munster are still full of heart, courage and they still never know when they’re beaten. Getting out of the pool will be a great achievement this year as Penney builds his new team. Keatley getting a decent run at 10 will do him a lot of good. #16 #suaf
Great result, not finished article but getting there. The old adage of playing poorly but still winning may apply buy personally I don’t agree with that saying. I think Munster will be very hard to beat but not sure they are clinical enough to win the cup
Saracens will beat them twice munster in decline was at match 2day missing the spark they used have 2 many players coming 2 the end..
Why so pessimistic? Bonus point win today,losing bonus poi.t last week. We are in a good position. Reckon we will beat Saracens at home, lose over there. Key will be bonus points. We need to gain one while denying them any.
I don’t get the pessimism. How someone can say we are still in decline baffles me. Remember how bad we were the year before last?
Yesterday was the first day we managed to play for 80 mins. We had some storming performances. Poc, o Mahony and Murray were excellent but with room for improvement. Special mention to killer. So young and really looked the part. Like Irish Rail. We’re not there yet, but we’re getting there….
I guess my point is, sure, we’re no world beaters. But we have a new coach and new players. Sometimes when u have a regime change you need games like this. Games where plan a isn’t working but u stick with it and get what u deserve in the end. It instills confidence within the players and gives a team something to build on.
Yes it was old Munster that got the tries but it was new Munster that ran Edinburgh into the ground allowing the old ways to prevail. For me seeing the mix of old and new was the most heartening thing.
Mind u, it’s possible Edinburgh are the worst hc team this year… :-\
Edinburgh were awful. offered nothing throughout the match and it was down to Keatley having a dose of the yips in the first half that there were only 6 points in it at half time. The forwards ran the show but the pivot didn’t get going until well into the second half. He can’t do that against better opposition.