Munster win their third Magners League title; Leinster lose second time in a row – Rugby news
Munster defeated Leinster 19 – 9 to secure their third Magners League title. Munster took a 10 point win at Thomond Park, Limerick on Saturday, May 28 in front a packed house that saw the squad secure their third Magners League title.
At the end of the round matches, Munster and Leinster finished in the first and second position on the tables with 83 and 70 points respectively. This was Leinster’s second consecutive final appearance and loss. Ospreys defeated them in last year’s Magners
League final.
Experts had a hard time determining the final favourites because Munster’s impressive domestic performance was comparable with the Leinster impressive European run that earned them the Heineken Cup crown.
Both teams started the match strongly as they went head to head to fight for the ball and territory possession. Munster were first to score points in the match as Munster winger, Doug Howlett, scored the first of three tries for his squad during the 11th
minute of the game. Munster star fly half, Ronan O’Gara, followed with a conversion to leave the 2010/11 Heineken Cup winners trailing by seven points.
For the most part of the first-half, both teams played in the mid field as they were reluctant to break free with their attack. Defence on both sides was quick to plug any holes and any runs the opposition made. The only other scoring opportunity of the
first half came during the 28th minute of the game as Leinster fly half, Jonathan Sexton, scored his first penalty of the game.
Both teams left the field at the break with a scorecard reading 7 – 3, favouring Munster.
Early in the second-half, Munster suffered a blow as their lock Donncha O'Callaghan was sin binned during the 47th minute of the game. The offence resulted in a penalty for Leinster on which Sexton capitalised to reduce the deficit by just one
point.
Leinster was able to maintain the ball possession, as the Munster's were a man down. Leinster, with momentum on their side, won a penalty during the 60th minute of the game. Sexton scored his third and last penalty of the game to put the Heineken
Cup winners in the lead for the first time in the game.
Munster replied strongly with their winger Keith Earls’ 65th minute try. Munster was impressive in their defence as they denied Leinster any easy scoring opportunities. Munster extended their lead with a 78th minute try as O’Gara finished
the match with his second conversion of the game to take the scorecard reading 19 – 9 at end of the second half.
Leinster will be disappointed with their performance in the final and most importantly on losing a rare opportunity to win a double in the season. Maybe the third time will be a charm for the dejected Leinster squad.
Tags: