Celtic League/ Munster 9 Border Reivers 8: Perhaps more one for the participants than the spectators. The relevance of this gritty victory will endure much longer than the memory of the details.

Denied the use of 22 contracted players, Munster were compelled to dig as deeply as they've ever done, and that's exactly what this makeshift selection did.

In the general expectation of another close-run Magners League race, this four points might be significant not only in the long term but also in the short. With Connacht already raising a frisson of alarm among their more celebrated compatriots as the latter await their frontliners, Declan Kidney noted this win ensured Munster would not fall "eight or 12 points off the pace" not only of the leaders but potentially of the third Irish European Cup qualification place.

"In theory we're down 20 contracted players and two development players, and to dig out a win against a European Cup side with the mix of players we had was a huge win. It's important to point out the magnitude of it and once again the Munster supporters (6,158) turned up, didn't moan and saw the efforts of the players. You can't coach attitude."

Among their collection of senior pros, players on development contracts, academy players and players from club ranks, none rose to the challenge more impressively than number eight James Coughlan, the 25-year-old Dolphin talisman who has been in the Munster set-up only since May. His pick-ups from the base were maybe a tad impatient, but his adhesive hands, footballing savvy, dynamism and fringe tackling were reminiscent of Anthony Foley. Following on from the other examples last season, that Coughlan could be plucked from the AIB All-Ireland League second division underlines the existence of alternative back-up out there besides the elite schools, academies and abroad.

Coughlan showed some excellent footwork when receiving turnover ball as first receiver inside his own 22 to locate a gap and then impressive acceleration to instigate a pitch-length move. Although the initial option of then going to the corner was repelled, it led to Jeremy Manning's second penalty for a hard-earned 6-3 interval lead.

In what was always likely to be a low-scoring game, such moments were crucial. A turnover tackle by the hard-as-nails Donnacha Ryan, a drop-out charge down by Frankie Sheahan and rumble by Coughlan led to the first and third penalties.

All these scores also showed that an inexperienced pack lacked the cohesion and muscle to translate pressure into scores. Hence the likeliest route to the try-line was John Kelly's ability to beat the first tackle and offload to support runners.

In a game of tight margins, a solid setpiece and defence were vital and here Munster delivered. Sheahan's darts ensured a 100-per-cent return on his throw-in, and the scrum held firm. Loosehead Darragh Hurley has impressed in his two games, and though his fellow prop, Timmy Ryan, has been confined to two cameos, he, too, is held in high regard.

"We could look at that at the end of the season and say that's one of the ones that won it for us," said a rejuvenated Sheahan, his neck and hunger stronger than ever. "Young fellas have come through and their attitude is immense. In fairness to them, they're training in the academy like professionals for five grand a year, and this will be a great confidence booster."

A poor game wasn't helped by a fastidious referee. Handling errors added to the staccato effect, and Munster didn't commit enough at ruck time to clear the ball out.

Munster thus had to defend big, and save for coughing up a try off Manning's intercepted pass to the Borders' own impressive recruit from the club game, Mark Robertson, that they did; none better than James Downey, a veritable brick wall in midfield.

Trailing 9-7 in the seasonal opener here last season, Borders had neglected to feed Gregor Townsend when he dropped into the pocket. And despite having him and Steve Jones on the pitch on Saturday, the drop-goal option again never seemed to enter their heads in the endgame here.

All in all this was another Thomond Park scalping that got away from them.

Scoring sequence: 19 mins: James pen 0-3; 27: Manning pen 3-3; 40(+5): Manning pen 6-3; 50: Manning pen 9-3; 61: Robertson try 9-8.

MUNSTER: S Payne; T Gleeson, J Kelly, J Downey, M Lawlor; J Manning, T O'Leary; D Hurley, F Sheahan, F Pucciariello; C Wyatt, D Ryan; J O'Sullivan, T McGann, J Coughlin. Replacements: T Ryan for F Pucciariello (70 mins), E Hickey for Manning (71 mins). Not used: A Kyriacou, S O'Connor, B Cuttriss, G Hurley, D Hurley.

BORDERS: C MacRae; G Law, N De Luca, B MacDougall, M Robertson; S Jones, C Cusiter (capt); G Kerr, R Ford, B Douglas; O Palepoi, S Grimes; K Browne, S Gray, R Beattie. Replacements: A Miller for Beattie (54 mins), G Townsend for MacRae (62 mins), E Kalman for Douglas (65 mins), C Hamilton for Palepoi (71 mins), S Scott, J Dalziel, B McKerchar.

Referee: James Jones (Wales).