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thomond thrashing

JJ Hanrahan a perfect 10 as Munster destroy Cardiff

There were second half tries for Simon Zebo and Gerhard van den Heever as another Welsh side struggled in Ireland.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSGWZioOqes

YouTube credit: RaboDirect PRO12

MUNSTER EVISCERATED A limp Cardiff Blues side in the second half of their Pro12 clash to run in a huge 54-13 win at Thomond Park.

JJ Hanrahan was 10 from 10 at the kicking tee to rack up a personal tally of 24 points in the emphatic home win. Shorn of their Welsh internationals, who got walloped all over Lansdowne Road today, Cardiff put up a first half fight before surrendering meekly after the break.

Munster hit the front after four minutes through a Hanrahan penalty — his first of four — and Dave Kilcoyne rumbled over from close range soon after. The Welsh side responded sharply with Owen Williams crossing for a fine try before Hanrahan and Gareth Davies traded penalties. The home side led 19-13 at half-time.

The floodgates did not open until the 60th minute when the Munster pack forced a penalty try that also saw replacement prop Pat Palmer sent to the sin-bin. During Palmer’s 10 minutes off the pitch, Munster ran in two more tries. Simon Zebo found time to showboat for his score and Gerhard van der Heever took a high, bouncing ball on the run to slide in for a try near the posts.

imageSimon Zebo acts the goat after scoring Munster’s third try. INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Rob Penney emptied the Munster bench in the closing stages, with Ian Keatley coming in for inside centre Denis Hurley. Andrew Conway made use of his cameo with a 78th minute score and CJ Stander nipped over for the final try of the game. Hanrahan added the extras to make it 17 successive kicks in the league. The Kerry native has now landed 43 of his 46 kicks this season.

Penney was interviewed by TG4 post-match but revealed nothing further about his summer move to club rugby in Japan. Munster will hold an official press briefing about the search process for their next coach on Tuesday.

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