Munster beat Connacht to set up semi-final date against Leinster
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Seven tries from Munster shared between Chris Cloete, Jeremy Loughman, Tadhg Beirne, Andrew Conway (two), James Cronin and a scrum penalty try saw Johann van Graan's men secure a PRO14 semi-final spot where they will face Leinster.
Tadhg Beirne put in a stellar performance, his first of 2020, and was awarded Man of the Match as Munster cruised to a 49-12 victory over Connacht.
An incredibly busy first half saw referee Frank Murphy issue five cards, three yellows and two red cards with Connacht being forced to play 45 minutes of the Irish derby with just 13 men.
Conor Oliver was the first to visit the sin bin after a number of early Connacht penalties in the opening seven minutes. Munster immediately capitalising as Chris Cloete opened the scoring at the back of Munster maul.
The lead was doubled thanks to a scrum penalty try after 15 minutes and Munster led 14-0 before Connacht showed their quality with a dangerous break from deep inside their own half which ended with an attacking lineout five metres out.
Munster managed to contain the threat with Peter O’Mahony grabbing a vital turnover with Connacht's first red card coming soon after.
On debut Connacht looseforward Abraham Papali’i was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Conor Murray with Connacht going a further man down just 10 minutes later after Shane Delahunt led with his elbow in a carry into CJ Stander.
Delahunt apologised and shook Stander's hand after being sent off as it was all downhill from there for Connacht.
Prop Jeremey Loughman was over for the third Munster try from close range after a sustained period of pressure with JJ Hanrahan making it 21-0.
The numbers were evened out before the break with both Peter O’Mahony and Tadhg Beirne visiting the sin bin for breakdown infringements with Connacht centre Bundee Aki scoring Connacht’s first try.
Aki packed down at no.8 from the scrum and carried strongly before forcing his way over a few phases later, Conor Fitzgerald’s conversion made it 21-7 at the interval.
Munster winger Keith Earls had a try ruled out for a foot in touch before Beirne went over for a try thanks to a superb pass from Conor Murray.
Andrew Conway then finished the try of the day in the 52nd minute as Munster worked the ball from inside their own 22 with Chris Farrell making the break from deep before Beirne took it on and managed to offload to Damian de Allende who put Conway away.
An excellent score from @Munsterrugby 🔥 #MUNvCON pic.twitter.com/K6umR6FPDy
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) August 30, 2020
Conway was in for a brace moments later after a great grubber from Hanrahan.
James Cronin would make it 47 for Munster with Rory Scannell rounding out the scoring for Munster with Connacht scoring a consolation through Jonny Murphy.
