Munster have gone eight points clear at the top of the Magners League table after a fine 26-13 win over Glasgow at Firhill.
Niall Ronan was the star of the show, notching a hat-trick of tries to go with Keith Earls’ first half effort as the visitors secured a bonus-point win. Glasgow were left with nothing, despite first-half tries from Lome Fa'atau and Kelly Brown, and Warriors fly-half Dan Parks had a night to forget.
The league leaders had the night’s first penalty chance after Glasgow’s Brown was somewhat harshly penalized for not releasing the ball. Paul Warwick could not capitalize as his kick sailed high and to the left of the posts.
Shortly after, Munster conceded the night’s first try. Tony McGahan will not have been happy with his side's defensive work as the ball was moved quickly from Johnnie Beattie to Max Evans via Parks. Evans timed his pass to release Fa'atau and the Samoan winger, on his return from injury, ran through to open the scoring.
Parks was off target with his conversion attempt and Munster responded with a try of their own. Some great handling work from Mick O’Driscoll, combined with some poor defending from Brown, allowed Neil Ronan to run under the post for the touchdown. Warwick converted and it was now 7-5 Munster.
Niall Ronan was the star of the show, notching a hat-trick of tries to go with Keith Earls’ first half effort as the visitors secured a bonus-point win. Glasgow were left with nothing, despite first-half tries from Lome Fa'atau and Kelly Brown, and Warriors fly-half Dan Parks had a night to forget.
The league leaders had the night’s first penalty chance after Glasgow’s Brown was somewhat harshly penalized for not releasing the ball. Paul Warwick could not capitalize as his kick sailed high and to the left of the posts.
Shortly after, Munster conceded the night’s first try. Tony McGahan will not have been happy with his side's defensive work as the ball was moved quickly from Johnnie Beattie to Max Evans via Parks. Evans timed his pass to release Fa'atau and the Samoan winger, on his return from injury, ran through to open the scoring.
Parks was off target with his conversion attempt and Munster responded with a try of their own. Some great handling work from Mick O’Driscoll, combined with some poor defending from Brown, allowed Neil Ronan to run under the post for the touchdown. Warwick converted and it was now 7-5 Munster.
Glasgow soon hit back with another try. A fast break from a penalty led to Brown redeeming himself by diving for the line between three challengers in the left corner. The video referee has a quick look and saw no reason not to award the try. Parks missed his second conversion attempt to leave the score 10-7 Glasgow.
Parks’ night soon got worse. Munster retained possession from a lineout, and Warwick rounded the Glasgow fly-half to feed Earls, who ran behind the posts and touched down. Warwick converted to swing the lead back to Munster.
Parks missed another penalty in the 34th minute, but put three points on the board from close range after Munster's James Coughlan was sin-binned in the 37th minute to leave the score 14-13 to Munster at the interval.
Seven minutes into the second half, Coughlan returned with the score the same. A five-meter scrum led to a forward assault that saw Ronan barge over for his second try. Warwick missed the subsequent conversion attempt, but Munster were beginning to pull away.
Seven minutes into the second half, Coughlan returned with the score the same. A five-meter scrum led to a forward assault that saw Ronan barge over for his second try. Warwick missed the subsequent conversion attempt, but Munster were beginning to pull away.
Ronan added another try shortly after to make it a hat-trick on the night and cap a great win for the visiting team. Munster emerged the first Irish side to win at Glasgow since 2006, and went eight points clear of Leinster, who face Ulster on Sunday, in the process.
Glasgow: Bernardo Stortoni; Lome Fa'atau, Max Evans, Ruaridh Jackson, Colin Shaw; Dan Parks, Mark McMillan; Justin Va'a, Fergus Thomson, Moray Low; Tim Barker, Alastair Kellock [capt]; James Eddie, Kelly Brown, Johnnie Beattie.
Glasgow: Bernardo Stortoni; Lome Fa'atau, Max Evans, Ruaridh Jackson, Colin Shaw; Dan Parks, Mark McMillan; Justin Va'a, Fergus Thomson, Moray Low; Tim Barker, Alastair Kellock [capt]; James Eddie, Kelly Brown, Johnnie Beattie.
Replacements: Dougie Hall, Kevin Tkachuk, Dan Turner, Calum Forrester, Colin Gregor, Jose Maria Nunez Piossek, Peter Horne.
Munster: Denis Hurley; Doug Howlett, Keith Earls, Lifeimi Mafi, Barry Murphy; Paul Warwick, Peter Stringer; Federico Pucciariello, Denis Fogarty, Tony Buckley; Mick O'Driscoll [capt], Donnacha Ryan; Alan Quinlan, Niall Ronan, James Coughlan.
Replacements:
Michael Essex, Darragh Hurley, Billy Holland, Tommy O'Donnell, Tomas O'Leary, Jeremy Manning, Kieran Lewis.
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