The tables were unceremoniously turned at Lakelands Park last night when a completely rejuvenated Terenure side outplayed Young Munster for virtually the full 80 minutes. Terenure scored a try in each half with full back Richard Governey adding a conversion and two penalties to see off the tired-looking and dispirited Limerick side.
The home side, whose own aspirations of a place in the divisional play-offs were recently ruined by three defeats in a row against DLSP, Dungannon, and Blackrock, took the visitors completely by surprise from the kick-off.
However, spilled passes and numerous knock-ons kept the Terenure scoreboard clear in the early exchanges.
Indeed, Young Munster went ahead against the tide when they were awarded a simple penalty after five minutes and Matt Lynch had no difficulty converting.
Both sides were guilty of unenforced errors for much of the first half, but 90 per cent territorial dominance by Terenure eventually paid off when Governey scored in the corner after fine interplay among the Terenure backs. Governey missed the difficult conversion.
Munsters were perhaps unlucky not to counter with a try after 37 minutes but a hand-trip on number eight Muto Ngarimu foiled a breakaway and a certain try. Some Young Munster supporters blamed the strong evening sunlight blaring into their players' faces in the first half, but they were quickly disillusioned in the second. Terenure continued to exert pressure and camped for long periods close to the Young Munster line.
Superior in line-outs and general scrummaging, and with good back play, especially by wingers David Coleman early on and Derek Heggarty later, they always looked like scoring the key try in a scrappy match.
The try eventually came from a solo effort by centre Michael Smyth when he raced through a lethargic Munsters defence after 60 minutes. Governey converted and added an injury-time penalty after tempers became slightly frayed in the closing minutes. Young Munster's only consolation came from an easy penalty which Mick Lynch converted from 25 metres out.
The result leaves Young Munster a little less sure of a place in the top-four play-offs and they will be waiting for today's result between St Mary's and Garryowen with more than a little trepidation.
Scoring sequence: 5 min: M Lynch pen, 0-3; 26: Governey try, 5-3; 54: Governey pen, 8-3; 60: Smyth try Governey con, 15-3; 62: Lynch pen, 146; 80: Governey pen, 17-6.
Terenure College: P Governey; D Coleman, M O'Kelly, M Smyth, D Heggarty; S Cullen, (Capt), K Putt; J Nolan, J Blaney, J Campbell, C Long, D Quinn, P O'Malley, A Ryan, B Kavanagh. Replacements: M Dowling for Putt (18 mins).
Young Munster: M Connolly; C Casey, L Doyle, M Mullins, F Hogan; M Lynch (Capt), M Prendergast; P Clohessy, B Cantrell, M Fitzpatrick, D Peters, P O'Connell, M T'Pau, K Gallagher, M Ngarimu. Replacements: C Power for Peters.
Referee: D McHugh (IRFU).
