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Anthony Foley was disappointed with his team's performance, particularly in the first half. Dan Sheridan/INPHO
DISAPPOINTED

Munster coach Foley not surprised by Connacht display

The home side were made to pay for 22 missed tackles in the first half in Thomond.

MUNSTER COACH ANTHONY Foley said he was not surprised by the quality of the display produced by Connacht, which ended their 13-match winning run at Thomond Park.

Foley had warned during the week that Munster would need to be on top of their game if they were to knock Connacht off the summit of the Pro12 table.

“They might have surprised a few other people. But we played them in pre-season and it was a very similar game. We knew what was coming – they are only up the road from us, we keep a close eye on them.

“They play with a lot of pace, they play with a lot of intensity and you have to take it away from them. The big way to take it away from them is to keep the ball and unfortunately we didn’t do that.

“We didn’t get the ball in the first-half, didn’t control it. When it was there to be contested they won it. Anything that broke, they won it. It was frustrating at half-time.

“In the second-half we got the ball went through phases and kept attacking them, and unfortunately we turned over ball at crucial moments particularly in the green zone. That ultimately cost us.”

He said that the number of missed tackles in the opening half — remarkably they missed 22 — was a concern, but they addressed it after the restart.

“Something ridiculous like 15 before their first try. It’s something that’s not us and it was addressed heavily at half-time.

“We fought to the end but losing by six points at home is not the result we were looking for. It’s disappointing,” added Foley, who must now start preparing for a trip to Rodney Parade next Sunday to play the Dragons.

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