Watch: Connacht defeat Munster in fiery Rainbow Cup clash

Connacht have defeated Munster 24-20 this evening at Thomond Park.

Munster opened the scoring through James Cronin in the 8th minute. However, Andy Friend’s men bounced back brightly and continued to make life difficult for Munster throughout the eighty minutes.

Former Munster players Conor Oliver, Conor Fitzgerald, Sam Arnold and Alex Wootton played starring roles and it was Arnold who scored Connacht”s first try.

On the 27th minute Limerick man Conor Fitzgerald made matters worse for Munster by dotting down and converting his own try.

Just before half time Munster replied through hooker Rhys Marshall. Ben Healy fired a penalty kick into touch, the maul rumbled forward and the New Zealander fell over the line to score.

Healy converted to leave the score at 14-17.

Connacht hit back immediately after half time through Kieran Marmion. The visitors played some excellent rugby at times and Marmion’s try was due reward for their ambitious efforts. There were however some unsavoury scenes following the try.

Munster added two penalties to their tally in the last half an hour from Ben Healy and Joey Carbery but it wasn’t enough in the end.

The men in red made a late surge to snatch victory from their rivals but a last minute David Kilcoyne knock-on ended any hopes of a Munster comeback.

FT: Munster 20-24 Connacht