Munster 35 Glasgow 29VINTAGE MUNSTER it was not, but victory in the bag they care not a jot. For everyone involved with the province a win was critical against Warriors at Musgrave Park on Saturday, but hopefully handing a losing bonus point to the Scots in the dying seconds will not come back to haunt Munster.
“We are happy after coming off two defeats to get victory and keep us in the competition,” said assistant coach Anthony Foley, whose side bounced back well for the defeat to Ulster.
Some pride was restored in the red shirt with the win, but skipper Mick O’Driscoll admitted home defeats to Leinster and Ulster was not acceptable.
“We are our own worst critics and we don’t need anyone to tell us what has gone on the last couple of nights isn’t good enough. I think we bounced back well tonight and there is a league still to be won.”
Tries from Luke O’Dea and a typical bulldozing effort from Peter O’Mahony just before half-time had Munster in the driving seat with a 18-6 lead at the break, but the blistering speed of Hogg almost picked their pocket.
And once more defensive frailties out wide almost cost Munster dear as the Scottish international ran home two tries from deep within five minutes of each other early in the second-half.
But the calming influence from outhalf, so often applied with Ronan O’Gara’s guidance, came from his understudy Ian Keatley, as his six penalties and Conor Murray’s try six minutes from time eased the jangling nerves.
Often the talking point of late, the scrum settled down well under the scrutiny of Nigel Owens after two penalties sorted the early posturing, but the Welsh referee still proved the centre of attention when he was forced to revert to his mobile phone to discuss Felix Jones’ first-half disallowed try after a technology meltdown.
But the performance of Stephen Archer and Mike Sherry will have pleased the Munster management as both featured heavily in the loose while ensuring a steady night for Tomás O’Leary behind the scrum.
It might feel like second prize after the Heineken Cup exit, but Munster are still looking good to seal a slot in the last four of the Pro12 – a win next Saturday away to Scarlets is a must.
“It’s a big three weeks coming up for us and season defining in terms of can we catch the Ospreys ahead of us and get a home semi and can we maintain our position in the top four,” said Foley.
“Our minimum is to make sure we are in the top four. We’ll concentrate on Scarlets, make sure that we’re right for that. That’s the game we can control now and can prepare for so that’s the one we’re going to look after.”
MUNSTER: F Jones; L O'Dea, J Murphy, L Mafi, S Zebo; I Keatley, T O'Leary: W du Preez, M Sherry, S Archer; D O'Callaghan, M O'Driscoll; D Ryan, T O'Donnell, P O'Mahony. Replacements: M Horan for du Preez (55 mins); C Murray for O'Leary (55 mins); D Varley for Sherry (66 mins); P Butler for O'Donnell (71 mins); I Dineen for O'Dea (73 mins); J Ryan for Archer (74 mins); B Holland for O'Driscoll (74 mins).
GLASGOW WARRIORS:P Murchie; F Aramburu, S Hogg, A Dunbar, C Shaw; R Jackson, C Cusiter; J Welsh, P MacArthur, M Cusack; R Gray, A Kellock; R Harley, C Fusaro, J Beattie. Replacements: R Grant on for Welsh (half-time); H Pyrgos for Cussiter (half-time); D Hall for McArthur (48 mins); M Low for Cusack (48 mins); D Weir for Jackson (55 mins); T Ryder for Gray (64 mins); C Forrester for Beattie (71 mins).
Referee: N Owens (WRU).
