RUGBY
Leinster’s fine start continues following win over Munster
By Daire Walsh
LEINSTER continued their fine form in the Guinness Pro12 on Saturday afternoon, when they claimed the bragging rights over arch rivals Munster in front of a crowd of 40,527 at the Aviva Stadium.
A Peter O’Mahony try had edged Munster into the ascendancy during a typically intense first-half, but with Blues skipper Isa Nacewa adding a brace of tries to his already impressive personal tally for the province, Leo Cullen’s charges finished the weekend in second place in the table – just behind Ulster on score difference.
While Rory O’Loughlin was given a chance to show his worth on the right-wing, it was a vastly-experienced Leinster team that took the field in Ballsbridge for their latest derby encounter with Rassie Erasmus’ men.
Naas’ Jamie Heaslip completed a formidable back-row alongside Jordi Murphy and Rhys Ruddock, while the youthful Kildare duo of James Tracy and Joey Carbury were included amongst the replacements.
A six-point from Jonathan Sexton helped Leinster to establish a foothold in the contest during the early exchanges, but when O’Mahony’s 25th-minute touchdown was supplemented by a conversion from Tyler Bleyendaal, Munster held a slender 7-6 advantage.
However, the hosts had looked dangerous in attack throughout the course of the first-half, and a well-worked Nacewa try meant that Leinster brought a four-point lead into the break. This was a major boost for Leinster at a crucial stage in the game, and further five-pointers after the restart from Nacewa and Jamison Gibson-Park created serious daylight between the teams.
Munster did respond with a try of their own from Jaco Taute, but with the likes of Tracy and Carbery offering fresh legs from the bench, Leinster ultimately recorded a 25-14 triumph.
It also proved to be a good weekend for Naas man James Connolly, as he made his way onto the scoresheet for defending champions Connacht in their interprovincial clash with Ulster the night before in Galway.
Connolly claimed his first-ever try at professional level during a hectic meeting with the league’s pace-setters, and with Craig Ronaldson making his long-awaited return from injury, it Pat Lam’s men secured a 30-25 victory.
Meanwhile, ahead of their opening British & Irish Cup pool game with Richmond next weekend, Leinster ‘A’ enjoyed a comprehensive 51-10 win against Ulster Ravens at Donnybrook on Saturday evening. Former Newbridge College student Jimmy O’Brien and Athy native Jeremy Loughman featured prominently in a worthwhile workout for Hugh Hogan’s side.
Naas RFC also had a memorable outing at Thomond Park’s back pitch on Saturday, when they recovered from a 7-0 half-time deficit to claim their second win of their Ulster Bank League Division 1B campaign.
After a difficult opening period, a Rob O’Connor try worked the visitors back into the contention, before a 71st-minute touchdown by player-coach Johne Murphy ensured that Naas came away with a 14-10 success – which moves the Forenaughts up to sixth place in the table.