Munster are the new RaboDirect PRO12 leaders after ending Glasgow Warriors’ five-match winning run in this season’s competition. Man-of-the-match JJ Hanrahan did all the scoring in a 13-6 victory at Scotstoun Stadium.
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: GLASGOW WARRIORS 6 MUNSTER 13
JJ Hanrahan was the shining light in a dour defence-dominated battle of the league’s top two sides, converting his own try and kicking two penalties.
Hanrahan’s first penalty had Munster just 6-3 behind at the break as they restricted Glasgow to just two successful kicks from Duncan Weir.
The former Ireland Under-20 star’s 44th-minute try, supplemented by an almost immediate penalty, moved Munster ahead for the first time and their fiercely committed defence won it for them in the end.
Rob Penney’s side had to cope with sin-binnings for props James Cronin and David Kilcoyne, but they showed huge determination and will to win when holding the Warriors at bay in a tense conclusion.
The top of the table clash was marred by reset scrums and referee Ian Davies struggled to get to grips with the on-going issues in the front row.
The Welsh official’s patience ran out in the 75th minute when he yellow carded both Kilcoyne and his tighthead opponent Jon Welsh.
But Munster stood tall in the finish and held both their discipline and defensive organisation, despite influential lock Donncha O’Callaghan suffering an alleged bite on the arm from Glasgow replacement Niko Matawalu.
The province were forced into a couple of notable late changes, losing Keith Earls to a knee injury in training and then Paul O’Connell pulled up in the warm-up.
Their replacements Casey Laulala and Billy Holland had little time to settle before Glasgow out-half Weir slotted a long range penalty in the third minute.
Hanrahan dangled a well-placed chip in front of his runners as Munster looked for an immediate response, but Glasgow were comfortable in defence.
Weir watched his second penalty attempt come back off the right hand post, following a side entry call against Holland.
The young Scottish international’s kicking out of hand was causing problems for the Munster rearguard. Andrew Conway did well initially to gather a high ball, but the Warriors steamrolled through for a turnover and DTH van der Merwe thought he was on for a try in the left corner – only for Ryan Grant’s pass to be ruled forward.
Although Hanrahan levelled for Munster with a tremendous penalty from distance, Glasgow maintained their advantage as Weir punished an obvious Munster hand in a scrum.
In a scrappy second quarter, the Scots were unable to turn scrum pressure into further scoring opportunities and Munster failed to capitalise on a muscular run from Hanrahan, which also showcased his quick feet.
There was some stern resistance from the visitors approaching half-time, with centres Laulala and Ivan Dineen putting in bone-crunching tackles and Cronin and Sean Dougall were both prominent at the breakdown.
It took a moment of attacking class from Hanrahan to lift the tension early in the second half. The Kerry youngster launched a raid down the right wing, opening a gap for himself and then fending off Weir’s challenge to touch down in the corner.
Hanrahan nailed an excellent conversion for 10-6 and with Glasgow openside Tyrone Holmes infringing at a ruck, the Munster number 10 added a further three points to their tally.
Glasgow hunted for a try in response and Cronin was singled out for killing the ball near his posts, resulting in a yellow card and a spot of handbags that the match officials had to sort out.
With James Downey filling in at flanker, 14-man Munster won a relieving scrum and their resolute defence continue to frustrate Gregor Townsend’s men as both coaches looked to their benches.
Flying Fijian scrum half Matawalu decided to tap a kickable penalty and it proved the wrong option as he was crowded out and lost the ball forward close to the Munster whitewash.
Weir’s big boot got Glasgow back into scoring range but again they turned down the offer of three points as they pressed for a levelling converted try.
It never came though as the red-shirted defensive wall stayed intact until the very last seconds. Glasgow did find holes, rampaging into the 22 late on to win a couple more penalties which they tapped.
But gritty Munster kept them out to deservedly take the spoils and hit the league’s summit closing in on the November international break.
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