Nankivell the difference as Munster win a thriller

■ By JOHN FALLON

Munster ………..35pts

Tries: Nankivell 29, Haley 32, Hodnett 45, Coombes 60, Daly 70

Conversions: Burns 29, 33, 46, 61, 71

Connacht ………33pts

Tries: B Murphy 20, 39, Ioane 14, Hawkshaw 54, Forde 64

Conversions: Ioane 21, 55, 65; Forde 40

CENTRE Alex Nankivell led the way as Munster won a thrilling 10-try derby at Thomond Park.

The neighbours shared five tries apiece in a cracking contest but in the end Graham Rowntree’s men found a way to win.

“It was really tough,” said Nankivell. “The boys dug deep and got us through. It wasn’t perfect but we spoke all week about what it means to play in front of these supporters, so it was great to get the win.”

Connacht built up a 12-0 lead by the end of the opening quarter as their new half-backs, Ben Murphy from Leinster and one-cap All Black Josh Ioane, made an instant impact setting each other up for debut tries. Munster hit back after 29 minutes when Argentinian international Santiago Cordero, who missed nearly all of last season with a cruciate injury, was binned for a high tackle on Craig Casey as the Munster scrum-half bore down on the visitors’ line.

Munster might have had a case for a penalty try but they made it count in any event off the lineout when Nankivell, forming an excellent centre partnership with new signing from Connacht Tom Farrell, bounced through Conor Oliver’s tackle to score 10 minutes from the break. Munster full-back Mike Haley and scrum-half Murphy traded tries for Connacht to lead 19-14 at the break.

Billy Burns, who later went off with a shoulder injury, twice missed penalties to touch in the opening three minutes of the second half but after getting it right with an effort to the right corner, Munster pounced from the attack with John Ryan picking out John Hodnett to score their third try, with Burns adding his third conversion to lead 21-19.

Connacht regained the lead when centre Cathal Forde and Dave Heffernan combined to send David Hawkshaw through for a fine try, with Ioane converting for lead 26-21. Back came Munster five minutes later and Gavin Coombes provided the finish out wide before Tony Butler landed a superb conversion to edge 28-26 in front going into the final quarter before Forde hit back for Connacht.

Munster didn’t panic and Nankivell and Haley combined to send Shane Daly over in the left corner to level 10 minutes from time, with Butler landing a superb conversion for what turned out to be the winning score of an astonishing game.