Leinster Win The Battle Of Thomond Park

Sports - Rugby

Friday, 02 April 2010 22:35

Written by Mark Dunphy

Leinster secured their first win at Thomond Park in 15 years tonight when they beat Munster by the narrowest of margins in front of 28,000 spectators.

The eagerly anticipated Magners League tie was a penalty-ridden affair but there was no mistaking the commitment of both sides ahead of next week's Heineken Cup quarter finals.

Rob Kearney’s try on the stroke of the half time break ultimately was the difference between the two sides.

Ronan O’Gara scored all of Munster’s points kicking 5 penalties, four of these coming in the first half.  However, a second half haul of just three points will be a major point of concern for Munster coach Tony McGahan just a week ahead of his side’s Heineken Cup quarter final tie against Northampton Saints.

SCORERS:
Ronan O’Gara (5 pens), Rob Kearney (try), Jonathon Sexton (2 pens, conversion), Fergus McFadden (try)

Sin-bin O'Callaghan, 18.
Sin-bin Cullen, 13; Hines, 52.

Munster: P Warwick; D Howlett, L Mafi, J de Villiers, I Dowling; R O'Gara capt, T O'Leary; M Horan, J Flannery, J Hayes; D O'Callaghan, M O'Driscoll; A Quinlan, N Ronan, D Wallace.
Leinster: R Kearney; G Dempsey; F McFadden; G D'Arcy; I Nacewa; J Sexton; E Reddan; S Wright; J Fogarty; CJ van der Linde; L Cullen; D Toner; N Hines; S Jennings; J Heaslip