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McGahan Disappointed By Munster’s ‘Poor Execution’

McGahan Disappointed By Munster’s ‘Poor Execution’

Munster coach Tony McGahan felt his side did not play well enough to warrant a win against Connacht in the Magners League on Sunday. The European champions slipped to a 12-6 defeat in Galway, with their lead at the top of the league table now cut to three points.

Click here to listen to Tony McGahan’s post-match interview, following Munster’s 12-6 Magners League defeat to Connacht in Galway.

Munster could only manage two penalty goals from Paul Warwick as they went down 12-6 to Connacht, the Magners League’s bottom side.

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After a bad night at the office for his players, Munster boss Tony McGahan was left to reflect on few positives.

“We’re Disappointed obviously with the result but personally I thought we got everything we deserved,” he said.

“We were lethargic at times and I thought our individual skill level was appalling in certain situations.

“We were under no illusions coming here as to what the task would be – we needed to dig in and show some grit and be able to get ourselves through it when we weren’t playing well.

“But we failed with field position, we failed with our kicking and we failed with our allignment.”

The Australian praised Connacht for their battling performance as they moved ahead in the final quarter thanks to two penalties from man-of-the-match Ian Keatley.

“Connacht were excellent. They showed tremendous patience with the ball, they showed a huge commitment to the defence and they kicked very well. Full credit to them.

“They came here with an intent to play well and get a result and they certainly did that.

“I don’t think it was a lack of effort from us, I just think we were poor in our execution.”

Munster lost flanker Niall Ronan and winger Doug Howlett to yellow cards in each half, but McGahan felt that the sin-binnings did not have a major bearing on the result.

“You could look back at those incidents – the Niall Ronan and Doug Howlett incidents – as turning points.

“But really, at the end of the day, we were more than poor across a long section of it for those two incidents to play any part in (the final outcome).”

Munster have little time to get over what was a particularly deflating loss, especially after the high of their recent comeback victory over Clermont Auvergne.

They entertain Ulster next weekend and know that they cannot afford another festive defeat as the likes of the Ospreys and Leinster are snapping at their heels.

McGahan added: “We certainly trained well (for the Connacht game), we knew exactly what we had to do and what we were facing.

“If you’re turning over ball and kicking as badly as us – it certainly looks like you’re not trying but we were trying – we just didn’t execute well.

“We’re disappointed individually and as a group. We need to cop it and move on.

“If we play well enough and prepare well enough and we do the right processes to any sort of game, we’d think we’re able to get a result.

“We didn’t do it tonight, we’re judged accordingly and that’s where we sit.”