Munster ‘A’ Suffer Cup Setback
Munster ‘A’ tasted defeat for the first time this season when they went down 17-7 to Plymouth Albion in the British & Irish Cup on Friday night.
Tommy O'Donnell made his first appearance since injurying his knee in September as a second half replacement, but he was unable to inspire a comeback from the province.
Munster 'A' trailed 10-7 at the break at Brickfields and a Tom Bowen try for Plymouth midway through the second half secured the win for Albion.
Plymouth missed an early chance to go in front when Dan Mugford was off target with a penalty. However, the out-half made amends after a Munster offside on 21 minutes to give his side a 3-0 lead.
The lead was increased five minutes later when Fijian back rowers Sam Matavesi crossed for the game's first try with Mugford adding the extras to give the hosts a 10-0 lead.
Peter Malone's side fought back before half-time and Ronan O'Mahony touched down underneath the posts with Johnny Holland easily kicking the conversion to make it 10-7 at the interval.
Ian Nagle was sin-binned shortly after the restart and to make matters worse for the visitors, Plymouth winger Bowen touched down with just over 20 minutes remaining.
Former Munster player Declan Cusack added the conversion to give the hosts a 17-7 advantage and that is how it stayed as the English side – captained by ex-Old Belvedere and Ireland Club international scrum half Ruairi Cushion – moved out on their own at the top of Pool 4.
Munster 'A' have an immediate chance to make amends though as they host Plymouth next weekend at Waterford's Regional Sports Centre.
The game takes place next Friday (kick-off 7.30pm) and tickets can be purchased online here.
Referee: James McPhail (Scotland)