Munster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

Munster Advance To B&I Cup Quarters

18 December 2011, 10:07 pm ::Match Report By The Editor

Thanks to their 29 nil bonus point win against Moseley and other results going in their favour Munster's B&I Cup side have secured a place in the British and Irish Cup quarter finals.

Munster were led to believe they were in for the long haul when Moseley showed their intent from the off opting to kick for the corner instead of taking an opening penalty opportunity. Thankfully for the visitors the bold move didn't yield any score and it was actually Munster who opened the scoring with a well struck Scott Deasy penalty after 16 minutes.
After the half hour mark Munster moved into the Moseley 22 with Tom Gleeson attacking from his wing and carrying deep into opposition territory. The forward pack moved through the phases repeating a number of quick pick and goes which proved successful with Dave Kilcoyne crashing over for the opening try after 34 minutes.

There were moments of questionable defence in the opening exchanges but the Ian Costello coached side returned after the break with a renewed confidence, upping their intensity and pace with Dave O'Callaghan carrying the mantle breaking through the Moseley defence with his forward colleagues in tow and after a series of interchanging plays Christy Condon crossed the whitewash for Munster's second try after 43 minutes.

Paddy Butler showed great awareness minutes later spotting an opportunity down the right wing when he called for a cross field kick from Deasy and went over unopposed for Munster's third try with Scott on target again for his third convert of the day.

Perhaps pre-empting a bonus point try Munster began to force the play and the mistakes started to creep in with a number of dropped passes and loose ball. But after ringing the changes and introducing fresh legs the young guns regained composure and settled once again moving into the closing stages.

With the backline initiating the attack the pack once more used quick recycled ball stretching the Moseley defence and replacement prop Peter Borlase took his opportunity scoring Munster's fourth and final bonus point winning try after 73 minutes.

A very happy Ian Costello commented after the game "Today was great, not only for getting the winning bonus point but also for the margin we secured, that's what is most pleasing. We had set a 25 to 30 point target for ourselves going into the game and the lads, a young side, showed great mental strength in securing that win."

Irish U20s and first year academy player Shane Buckley, a late addition to the side, made his B&I Cup debut when replacing Billy Holland in the 74th minute.

As the second best runner up Munster advance into the quarter finals seeded eight and if they are to go on to face the top seeds at the end of January, it looks like another trip away to Cornish Pirates.

Munster: Sean Scanlon; Luke O'Dea, JJ Hanrahan (Ronan O'Mahony 64), Will Chambers, Tom Gleeson; Scott Deasy (Declan Cusack 74), Duncan Williams (Cathal Sheridan 71); David Kilcoyne, Sean Henry (Duncan Casey 62), Christy Condon (Peter Borlase 64); Dave Foley, Ian Nagle; Billy Holland capt (Shane Buckley 74), Dave O'Callaghan (Brian O'Hara 62), Paddy Butler. Replacements: Duncan Casey, Peter Borlase, Shane Buckley, Brian O'Hara, Cathal Sheridan, Declan Cusack, Ronan O'Mahony

Moseley: Glynn Hughes; Sam Brown, Brad Hunt (William Robinson 64), Callum McBurnie, Mike Gillick; Bradley Davies (Anthony Carter 41), Ryan de la Harpe; Anton O'Donnell (Tom Warren 62), Adam Caves (Matthew Lowcock 41), Colin Quigley (Craig Voisey 68); Daniel Sanderson, Richard Stott; Michael Maltman (Neil Mason 64); Charley Thomas, Michael Ellery (Chevvy Pennycook 64). Replacments: Tom Warren, Neil Mason, Craig Voisey, Chevvy Pennycook, Matthew Lowcock, Anthony Carter, William Robinson.