Connacht 12-18 Munster: Deasy try decisive as Munster take derby spoils

CONNACHT'S eight-match unbeaten run at the Sportsground was ended by Munster as the defending champions took the spoils in this Magners League derby.

Fielding a back line with three debutants, Munster led 11-7 at half-time having played with the wind advantage, and a converted try shortly after the break from Scott Deasy proved decisive.

No 8 George Naoupu worked his way over for a try on the hour mark, but despite ending the game in the Munster 22, Michael Bradley's men could not break down the red defensive wall.

A ruck infringement from Connacht captain John Muldoon after four minutes in was punished by a well-struck opening penalty from Paul Warwick.

After a missed drop goal attempt from Munster newcomer Declan Cusack, Connacht lock Michael Swift got isolated after a meaty tackle from Dave Ryan and Warwick swept his kick over for a 6-0 lead.

But Connacht's first visit to the Munster 22, sparked by an Ian Keatley break, garnered them a well-taken try. Sean Cronin added some directness to the attack with a powerful burst, and Niva Ta'auso's neat offload sent Johnny O'Connor barrelling over on the right. Keatley's pinpoint conversion made it 7-6.

Munster's big forwards were winning the collisions, as evidenced by Nick Williams' hand-off on Naoupu in the lead-up to Niall Ronan's 31st-minute score. Williams thundered clear off a ruck, offloading for the supporting Tony Buckley to crash through and into Gavin Duffy's tackle. With Connacht stretched, the overlap was created by Warwick on the right to put Ronan over in the corner.

The visitors increased their lead just two minutes after the break, as Williams sent Simon Zebo through a gap and the debutant winger popped a one-handed pass for Deasy to go over for a try.

A deliberate knock on saw Zebo sin-binned and a minute later, Naoupu used quick ruck ball to score in the left corner, although replacement Miah Nikora was off target with the conversion attempt.

Scorers: Connacht: Tries: O'Connor, Naoupu. Cons: Keatley. Munster: Tries: Ronan, Deasy. Cons: Warwick. Pens: Warwick 2.

Connacht: Duffy, Nathan, Ta'auso, Matthews, Carr, Keatley, F. Murphy, Wilkinson, Cronin, Hagan, Swift, Upton, Muldoon, O'Connor, Naoupu. Replacements: Wynne for Ta'auso (72), Nikora for Keatley (48), O'Loughlin for F. Murphy (72), Loughney for Wilkinson (48), Flavin for Cronin (62), McCarthy for Swift (49), McComish for Muldoon (72).

Munster: Deasy, Zebo, Gleeson, Warwick, Barnes, Cusack, Stringer, D. Ryan, Varley, Buckley, O'Driscoll, Holland, N. Williams, Ronan, Coughlan. Replacements: Manning for Cusack (74), Fogarty for Varley (62), Brugnaut for Buckley (62), P. O'Mahony for Holland (67), Foley for N. Williams (53). Not Used: Murray, Scanlon. Att: 3,500 Ref: Alain Rolland (Ireland).