Crowley And Beirne Steer Munster To Electric Derby Victory

Jack Crowley and returning captain Tadhg Beirne masterminded Munster’s first win in five meetings with Leinster, as they came away from Croke Park with five well-deserved BKT United Rugby Championship points.

An excellent 31-14 victory extends their winning start under new head coach Clayton McMillan to four matches, while a third defeat for Leinster after four rounds – their first to their arch rivals since the 2023 semi-final – is quite a dent to their title defence.

An Ethan Coughlan intercept try underlined a classy first half performance from Munster, who deservedly led 21-7 at the end of a free-flowing but attritional first half.

In reponse to Rónan Kelleher’s early maul score, Brian Gleeson (16 minutes) and Tom Farrell (23) both crossed, the latter breaking onto a deft kick from player-of-the-match Crowley.

Having won all five of their previous games at the Jones’s Road venue, Leinster’s proud record was slipping away when the talismanic Crowley split the posts with a long-range three-pointer.

Beirne’s turnover-winning exploits prevented Leo Cullen’s side from responding, even with six returning British & Irish Lions on duty. Munster secured their bonus point with a late penalty try which also saw Ciarán Frawley sin-binned.

Leinster could not avoid their heaviest league defeat to Munster since a 22-5 loss at Thomond Park in April 2009. They did muster an 80th-minute consolation try, scored by replacement Scott Penny following a yellow card for Gavin Coombes.

The precautionary withdrawal of both Jack Conan (knee) and Tommy O’Brien (back) saw Max Deegan and Jordan Larmour handed starts for Leinster, who were captained for the second week running by Josh van der Flier.

Munster skipper Beirne made his seasonal debut in front of an attendance of 51,859, and the fit-again Edwin Edogbo was rewarded with his first start since December 2023.

Larmour and Tadhg Furlong were at the heart of two eye-catching early breaks for the hosts. Edogbo ended the first one with a muscular turnover, but a second scrum penalty kept the pressure on Munster.

After Sam Prendergast kicked to the corner, the deadlock was broken by a surging lineout drive, Kelleher breaking away to give Leinster the fast start they wanted. Prendergast made it a full seven-pointer.

Andrew Smith’s kick chase resulted in Jamison Gibson-Park conceding a close-in lineout, but the Munster winger unfortunately injured himself in the process. Leinster’s maul defence, and a subsequent scrum penalty, got them out of trouble.

Thaakir Abrahams was a real livewire for Munster, turning Crowley’s inviting kick into a real scoring opportunity. He threatened out wide, as did replacement Alex Nankivell, before Beirne was held up.

Play came back for a 15th-minute penalty, which the visitors tapped at short range. Number 8 Gleeson was fed soon after to drive in low and score with support from John Ryan. Crowley squared things up with the conversion.

Some excellent passing had a jinking Abrahams leading Munster back within sight of the try-line. Larmour shipped a heavy knock as Leinster scrambled successfully in defence, the winger having to join Ireland call-up Paddy McCarthy (HIA) on the sidelines.

Barely moments later, Leinster’s rush defence was undone by the Crowley-Farrell connection. The Munster centre beat O’Brien to a pinpoint kick over the top from his out-half, cruising in under the posts to establish a 14-7 advantage.

The injury-enforced departure of Gleeson was a cruel blow for the Reds, coming at a time when they were on the front foot again. The pace of this high-octance clash briefly eased off as Leinster steadily exerted pressure in attack.

However, Ennis youngster Coughlan stung them with a terrific read just inside Munster’s 22. He picked off a Gibson-Park pass and darted downfield to give Crowley a simple conversion from straight in front.

In addition, Munster had a big defensive win on the stroke of half-time, Beirne and Jack O’Donoghue managing to swallow up Kelleher at a maul. Before returning to the dressing room, they huddled together on the pitch with Crowley and Beirne leading the team talk.

Just when Leinster, with Prendergast back from a HIA, looked poised to hit back early on the restart, Beirne snapped up possession deep inside his own 22.

With Fineen Wycherley and Dan Kelly tackling everything in sight, the Munstermen continued to frustrate the hosts. Furlong was held up near halfway as replacement Coombes made certain of the turnover. Crowley then swept over a well-struck 45-metre penalty.

Leinster, who lost RG Snyman to injury, left points behind them when Coombes and Jean Kleyn combined to hold up van der Flier. The reigning champions enjoyed a dominant period inside the opposition 22, only for Beirne to come up with two more defiant turnovers.

On the hour mark, Munster fanned out in defence, hauling down O’Brien a few metres short. Leinster continued to try to wear down the red defensive wall, but again the indefatigable Beirne got his hands on the ball for a vital turnover penalty.

Crowley’s well-weighted kick, off a scrum, was collected by Shane Daly to give the visitors a significant territorial gain. Leinster answered back with a subsequent scrum penalty, and another one landed them back inside Munster’s 22 with eight minutes to go.

Leinster’s attack lacked penetration again though, their opponents able to keep them out with Nankivell forcing a breakdown penalty after James Lowe was brough to ground near the right touchline.

Munster built for a final flourish, Abrahams linking out wide with Farrell who was tackled just short by Penny. Referee Gianluca Gnecchi penalised Frawley for a cynical infringement inches away from the try-line following a TMO review.

The outcome was a yellow for Frawley and a penalty try for Munster, making it a maximum haul for them in the capital. That looked set to be the final score until Penny burrowed over right at the death.

Leinster doubled their tally after Coombes was guilty of playing the number 9, van der Flier in this case. He was sent to the sin bin, Dan Sheehan tapped the penalty, and it was Penny who wrestled his way over for Prendergast to convert.