Celtic League Munster 24 Leinster - 13: A perfect evening for rugby was illuminated at Musgrave Park last night by the displays of axed Ireland internationals Rob Henderson and John Kelly, who between them scored three tries and made it a Celtic League double over Leinster.
Leinster, intent on avenging the 15-8 defeat in Donnybrook at the start of the campaign, began with purpose, Matt Leek sending over an early penalty.
Munster replied in emphatic fashion in the sixth minute when the recalled Eddie Halvey floated a pass to Mossie Lawlor and the flying Shannon winger touched down in the corner. Jason Holland missed the conversion.
Peter Coyle was sin-binned in the 10th minute for dragging down a Munster maul and Gary Ella was forced to withdraw Brendan Burke to accommodate Seán Brophy in the front row.
Leek was on hand to push the visitors ahead after 15 minutes. During the next 10 minutes, however, Munster owned the ball, with Eoin Reddan and Jason Holland making more-than-adequate replacements for Ronan O'Gara and Peter Stringer, and after a period of intense Munster pressure, John Kelly went over for a his first try in the 29th minute.
Leinster finished strongly and a period of impressive recycling pinned Munster back within five metres of their line. David Pusey infringed and was sin-binned.
Leek went for the lineout, Aidan Kearney peeled off and great pressure from Des Dillon assisted Kearney in forcing his way past a creaky Munster defence for a try. Leek made no mistake this time to give Leinster a 13-10 half-time lead.
The home side restarted in style but had to wait until the 70th minute to get their breakthrough, Mossie Lawlor motoring up the left wing and sending an adept inside pass to Henderson, who stormed in for his side's third try, which Holland converted. Munster finished with aplomb when John Kelly brilliantly dummied his way through two lines of defenders to score his second on full time.
MUNSTER: S Payne; J Kelly, J Jones-Hughes, R Henderson, M Lawlor; J Holland, E Reddan; S Kerr, J Blaney, G McIlwham; T Hogan, D Pusey; S Keogh, E Halvey, J Williams (capt). Replacements: F Roche for Kerr (53 mins); J Flannery for Blaney (55 mins); F Murphy for Reddan (67 mins); P Malone for Halvey (75 mins); Kerr for McIlwham (83).
LEINSTER: J Norton; J McWeeney, C Warner, D Quinlan, B Burke; M Leek, B O'Riordan; E Bohan, G Hickey, P Coyle; A Kearney, B Gissing; N Breslin, S Jennings (capt), D Dillon. Replacements: S Brophy for Burke (10-20 mins); G Brown for Warner (half-time, inj); Brophy for Bohan, C Potts for Breslin (both 62 mins); D Blaney for Hickey (67 mins)
Referee: H Watkins (WRU)
