Munster edge past Connacht for fifth-straight win

Jack O'Donoghue takes the congratulations after scoring what proved to be the winning try

United Rugby Championship

Munster (12) 17

Tries: O'Donoghue 2, Kilgallen Con: Hanrahan

Connacht (15) 15

Tries: Ralston 2, Boyle

Munster maintained their winning start to the United Rugby Championship (URC) as they emerged from an error-strewn game against Connacht at Thomond Park.

Although both sides scored three tries, just one was converted with JJ Hanrahan's first-half kick proving the difference in what was an arm-wrestle of a game.

The result leaves Munster joint-top of the table with the Stormers as the URC takes a break for the autumn internationals, with Connacht now in 12th with just one win from four, but did take a losing bonus point for their efforts.

Both sides were without their Ireland internationals who have crossed the Atlantic to prepare for next week's test match against New Zealand and perhaps the changes contributed to an untidy game, yet it was Munster who made it back-to-back wins over Irish rivals following their victory over Leinster at Croke Park last week.

Kilgallen makes an impact on his return

Diarmuid Kilgallen races clear for his try in the first half

The hosts asked the early questions but couldn't capitalise until Diarmuid Kilgallen, making his first appearance of the season, fielded a Connacht penalty that failed to find touch.

His burst forward created an opening with the ball spread to the opposite wing where Alex Nankivell put captain Jack O'Donoghue in for the score after 14 minutes.

Connacht would waste little time hitting back as they worked there way into the Munster 22 with Josh Ioane popping a deft reverse offload to Byron Ralston to scamper over.

This was a confidence boost for the visitors as they were soon knocking on the door again as when hammering at the line, Ioane was again the creator for Ralston, flinging a perfect pass out to the winger who had a simple finish.

Just as it seemed Ioane could do no wrong, his attempted pass just inside Munster territory was read perfectly by Kilgallen who intercepted and raced clear for the score which, for the first and only time of the night, was converted as JJ Hanrahan added the extras to put Munster back into the lead.

There was still time for another lead change before the half as Connacht took advantage of a late penalty, kicking to the corner and after winning the line-out, laid siege to the Munster line.

Referee Andrea Piardi was unsure whether Paul Boyle had managed to ground the ball when driving over, but the TMO confirmed he had to the displeasure of the home support as Connacht took a 15-12 lead as early replacement Sean Naughton missed his third conversion of the half.

It took a little time for the second half to settle following a lengthy stoppage which saw Ralston's night come to an end, but it remained untidy with errors on both sides.

When Munster injected a bit of pace, they carried more of a threat but their persistence finally paid off in the 67th minute when O'Donoghue powered over for his second score of the night as the lead changed for the fourth and final time.

The hosts sought the bonus point try in the closing stages but coughed up a penalty when metres from the Connacht line in the final minute, giving the visitors one last opportunity, but they were unable to do anything with it as Munster held on for their fifth win out of five.

Line-ups

Munster: Daly; Kilgallen, Kelly, Nankivell, Abrahams; Hanrahan, Coughlan; Milne, Barron, Ryan; Kleyn, Wycherley; O'Donoghue (capt), Hodnett, Coombes.

Replacements: Scannell, Loughman, Foxe, O'Connell, Quinn, O'Riordan, Butler, McCarthy

Connacht: West; Ralston, Gavin, Forde, Treacy; Ioane, B Murphy; Duggan, Heffernan, Illo; Joyce, D Murray; J Murphy, Boyle (capt), Jansen.

Replacements: Tierney-Martin, Dooley, Barrett, N Murray, O'Connor, Devine, Naughton, O'Brien

Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR)