MUNSTER ENDURED A miserable evening, as the Llanelli Scarlets completed the double over the Irish province with an 18-10 victory at Parc Y Scarlets on Saturday evening.
Man of the match Owen Williams scored all of his side’s points as Rob Penney’s men struggled despite having both Ronan O’Gara and Donncha O’Callaghan in their side.
O’Gara only managed one penalty from four attempts as he bookended a miserable week after replacing Jonathan Sexton in the Irish side that was beaten by England at the Aviva Stadium.
The veteran fly-half had a good opportunity to give his side the lead early in the game, when Scarlets were penalised on halfway, but his kick fell short.
That set the tone for a muted display from O’Gara, who subsequently missed another chance from 35 metres when the Scarlets were caught offside in front of their posts.
Williams opened the scoring with a sweetly struck penalty after 14 minutes, and made it two kicks out of three before the 20 minute mark.
The home side was penalised at a scrum on 29 minutes and O’Gara finally had his first points of the game, but Williams restored the six-point deficit to make it 9-3 at half-time.
Williams missed his first effort of the second half when Johne Murphy conceded a penalty for clashing with Phil John, but the Scarlets fly-half quickly made it 12-3 as O’Gara went awry for the third time in the match.
Munster captain Mike Sherry was sin-binned in the 56th minute and that allowed the Scarlets, and Williams, to open up a 12-point lead, and the 20-year-old Williams capped a special performance with a drop goal that all but ended the game as a contest.
The one negative mark against the young Welsh player came when he was sin-binned late in the game and Denis Hurley ran over the only try of the contest for Munster.
O’Gara, at least, kicked the conversion but it was too late for the visitors to change the course of the game.
Very sad! RIP
Who the hell gives that comment a thumb down. Idiots.
I think it’s accidental when your scrolling.
As a Kerryperson, can I add my sympathy to his Family and his GAA Family too.
I knew him for thirty years and he was always the perfect gentleman.
We had some great texts back and forth over recent years , with the successes of our respective County Teams , but he was so rightly proud of his County Hurlers too .
His good humour will be so missed everywhere – RIP.
Great servant to Dublin Gaa. He’ll be missed. Condolences to his family and loved ones.
A great Dublin GAA man. Rest well.
RIP.
Very sad news. RIP.
A long time Friend for over 30yrs.
& a true Gentleman & Sportsman.
A super servant to Dublin GAA, and a gentleman my condolences and thoughts are with his Family, Friends and club.
RIP, great GAA Man
Ar dheis Dè go raibh a anam. RIP
Deepest sympathy to the Kettle family and everyone involved with Dublin Gaa and everyone in Fingal Ravens Gaa club.
Brian Carroll
Secretary
Roscommon GAA
May he rest in peace, 68 is so young to pass away these days.
Was he sick or die suddenly? How old was he?
Sorry, see illness now
Lord rest andy, a true gentlemen, prayers to the family
Had the pleasure of working with Andy in the Irish Times during the 80s .. A true gentleman .RIP Andy
He reminds me of ronnie barker
Brendan. I think so too. May he rest in peace.
R.I.P. Andy. I have a funny feeling that there could be some Dublin GAA memories getting shared up above today between Heffo & Andy
Rest in peace. Dublin Handball