It was an entertaining if ultimately low-scoring afternoon at Lakelands Park yesterday where one clearly sensed a share of the points was a conclusion that satisfied both parties involved.
Terenure were coming in from their walloping of champions Shannon, while Young Munster had achieved a vital whitewash at Ballymena in their last outing. With just two points separating them in the league table, it was a game that demanded caution yet brought expectations of quality.
As it turned out, both sides proved well capable of converting their equal share of the limited chances, most of which came down to out-half Craig Fitzpatrick and his opposite number, Michael Lynch. Terenure appeared the more confident in the early stages and put their visitors on the defensive. Eric Miller had plenty to do with that while David Coleman and Michael Smyth provided the usual threat from the back.
It was up front, however, that the battle for possession was orchestrated, rewarding Fitzpatrick with his first penalty after six minutes. The Limerick side had some decent opportunities to level things, although their first major drive started by Brian Buckley fell just short.
Terenure regained the momentum in the later stages of the half. Just after the 30-minutes mark Fitzpatrick tapped a penalty towards the corner flag and after some swift passing out of the lineout between Miller and Coleman, captain James Blaney took up the ball for the corner try. Then Fitzpatrick stepped up again just before the interval to drive over his second penalty from 30 metres and leave Munster trailing 11-0.
From here on, Munster made sure not to throw away any opportunity that came their way. Early after the restart Des Clohessy made a progressive burst towards scoring territory before scrum-half Derek Tobin sneaked around they defence and into the corner for the try. Lynch then fired over their next chance from the boot.
The well-deserved equaliser came just on the hour as once again the busy Munster forwards brought their side a penalty. Lynch had no problem firing it over and with 10 minutes to go the game was anyone's for the taking.
It was Lynch who could have sent the points south in the dying moments. First of all his final penalty bounced back off the corner of the upright and crossbar and inside injury time, he had a drop kick attempt blocked down from about 30 metres. Ciaran Clarke was otherwise keeping things safe at fullback and ensuring Terenure were not surpassed.
Scoring Sequence: 6 mins: Fitzpatrick penalty, 3-0; 32: Blaney try, 8-0; 40: Fitzpatrick penalty 11-0; 43: Tobin try, 11-5; 50: Lynch penalty, 11-8; 59: Lynch penalty 11-11.
Terenure: C Clarke, D Coleman, B Treacy, M Smyth, P Walsh, C Fitzpatrick, N Hogan, S Baretto, J Blaney (capt), J Campbell, R Sheriff, C Potts, P O'Malley, B Kavanagh, E Miller. Replacements: A Ryan for Kavanagh (56 mins); D Crossan for Blaney (60 mins); K Coleman for Baretto (70 mins).
Young Munster: P Boland, D O'Dowd, N O'Meara, S McCahill, R Larkin, M Lynch, D Tobin, D Clohessy, M Hayes, P Clohessy (capt), M O'Halloran, D O'Meara, B Buckley, G Earls, M Webber. Replacements: M Prendergast for Larkin (50 mins).
Referee: D Napier (USR).
