Munster 23
Glasgow Warriors 21
By John Fallon at Thomond Park
MUNSTER MAINTAINED THEIR winning start to the Pro12 thanks to a late match-winning penalty from Ian Keatley.
A Glasgow side with 21 players away on World Cup duty seemed poised to repeat their final win over Munster when Rory Clegg struck a drop goal five minutes from time.
But Munster hit back and Keatley kept his nerve to steer a penalty from 35 metres on the left and secure their third win in three outings.
They were made battle all the way by Gregor Townsend’s men who recovered from a slow start to trail by 13-9 at the break.
The only try of the opening half came after 29 minutes after Glasgow flanker Tyrone Holmes was binned.
Munster went to the corner and after a few surges Dave O’Callaghan got over for the try.
Keatley converted to make it 10-3 after 29 minutes but the response from Warriors was good.
Earlier a try from Gerhard van der Heever was ruled out after the TMO spotted a knock-on in the build-up by Mark Chisholm.
Clegg’s accuracy off the tee was crucial as Warriors took over after the restart and they opened up an 18-13 lead after three more kicks by the out-half signed on a short-term contract.
Then Munster reverted to type and a 20-phase move ended with BJ Botha getting over to tie the match 13 minutes from the end. Keatley converted and the Reds were back in front.
However, Glasgow never gave up and looked good for victory when Clegg split the posts with a drop goal.
But there was time for Munster to respond and Keatley secured the win with his late penalty.
Munster scorers:Tries: Dave O’Callaghan, BJ Botha (1 each)
Conversions: Ian Keatley (2)Penalties: Ian Keatley (3)Glasgow Warriors scorers:Penalties: Rory Clegg (6)
Munster: F Jones (S Monahan 38); A Conway, D Johnston, T Bleyendaal (R Scannell 70), G van den Heever; I Keatley, D Williams (C Sheridan 56); J Cronin (D Kilcoyne 57), D Casey (M Sherry 46), S Archer (BJ Botha 51); M Chisholm (R Copeland 57), D Foley; D O’Callaghan, J O’Donoghue, CJ Stander.
Glasgow: R Hughes; J Bulumakau, H Blake, F Lyle, L Jones; R Clegg, G Hart (M Blair 64); A Allan (J Yanuyanutawa 70), P MacArthur (F Scott 73), D Rae (Z Ferguson 29); R Harley, S Cummings (K Low 57); T Holmes (J Eddie 64), C Fusaro (G Hunter 77), A Ashe.
Referee: B Whitehouse (WRU).
