Munster finally got it right on the big occasion as they broke Neath's
challenge in the Celtic League final at the Millennium Stadium.
The Irish province had failed in two Heineken Cup finals and a Celtic League
final in recent seasons but ran in three tries in Cardiff to break their losing
sequence.
Pick of the scores was a superb second-half effort from replacement Rob
Henderson, who collected the ball 40 metres out before leaving three defenders
for dead en route to a dazzling touchdown at the flag.
Minutes earlier prop Marcus Horan had forced his way over after Munster won a
line-out and drove strongly in midfield .
Neath never gave up but made too many basic errors to threaten the Irishmen.
They struggled on their own line-out ball and could not generate momentum in
the loose, despite the efforts of Gareth Llewellyn.
For Neath, Adam Jones scored a consolation try and Lee Jarvis kicked three
penalties and a dropped goal, while Rona O'Gara slotted four penalties for
Munster and Jeremy Staunton bagged 10 points.
Man of the Match was Munster flanker Alan Quinlan, who foraged relentlessly
and put in any number of tackles.
The Irishmen laid the platform for their win in the first-half when they gave
Neath a lesson in how to take chances.
They struck almost every time they entered the opposition 22, with O'Gara
punishing Neath indiscipline.
He slotted two penalties before Jarvis struck back after a strong bout of
forward pressure from Lyn Jones' side.
Neath suffered a major blow on 15 minutes when Wales international Barry
Williams left the field with a suspected broken jaw, after colliding with
Anthony Foley's knee.
With Steve Jones ruled out by injury, Neath had to send on inexperienced
youngster Adam Matthews.
As the Welsh All Blacks struggled to get into the game, O'Gara fired over two
more penalties to put Munster 12-3 in front.
Centres James Storey and Dave Tiueti and wing Shane Williams tried to inject
some penetration, but the Welsh All Blacks were unable to set in place a strong
forward platform.
Play was often scrappy as both sides made errors but Munster had the greater
control.
However, they were hit on 25 minutes when O'Gara picked up an injury that
forced him off the pitch. Henderson came on at fly-half.
Neath tried to take advantage and did enjoy a bout of territorial dominance,
only to concede a soft try just past the half-hour mark. A Jarvis kick
ricocheted into the arms of Quinlan who raced over from 40 metres for a try that
Staunton converted.
It was 22-9 in Munster's favour at the break after Jarvis and Staunton
exchanged penalties.
Neath looked to up the tempo early in the second-half but continually ran up
blind alleys against resolute Munster defence.
Storey and Peter Stringer were sin-binned late on. Storey went for pushing
Stringer to the floor after the Irishman had illegally used his feet at a ruck.
Teams:
Munster: Staunton, Kelly, Mullins, Holland, Lawlor, O'Gara,
Stringer, Horan, Sheahan, Hayes, M. O'Driscoll, O'Callaghan,
Williams, Quinlan, Foley.
Not Used: Blaney, Cahill, Galwey, Leamy, Prendergast,
Henderson, Keane.
Sin Bin: Stringer (68).
Tries: Quinlan, Horan, Henderson.
Cons: Staunton 2.
Pens: O'Gara 4, Staunton 2.
Neath: Durston, G. Morris, Storey, Tiueti, S. Williams, Jarvis,
A. Moore, D. Jones, B. Williams, A. Jones, A. Newman,
G. Llewellyn, Mocelutu, Sinkinson, Bonner-Evans.
Not Used: A. Bateman, S. Connor, Tandy, Mathews, R. Phillips,
L. Bateman, Millward.
Sin Bin: Storey (68).
Tries: A. Jones.
Pens: Jarvis 3.
Drop Goals: Jarvis.
Att: 30,076
Ref: Chris White (England).
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