Kieran Marmion’s eye-catching try sparked a scintillating Connacht comeback that produced a 24-16 victory over inter-provincial rivals Munster.

With just one win against Munster in 41 encounters – and none in the last six years – Connacht had history to contend with.

Meanwhile Munster, knowing a win would see them return to the GUINNESS PRO12 summit, made a fast start as a pair of Ian Keatley penalties and Peter O’Mahony’s try opened up a 13-0 lead.

However, Connacht are unbeaten at the Sportsground this season and they soon began to show why, firstly through Marmion’s superb score before the break.

And Craig Ronaldson and Aly Muldowney each crossed over after half-time as the hosts avoided a third straight league defeat and moved within one point of the top four.

Despite the wind trying its level best to knock the ball of its tee, Keatley struck the game’s first points on six minutes after Connacht were caught off their feet in the ruck.

They were further ahead after ten minutes when a powerful driving maul from the lineout saw skipper O’Mahony pile across the whitewash, Keatley nailing the touchline conversion.

The fly-half soon maintained his impeccable start to the game with a second penalty after Bundee Aki was pinged for obstruction, making it 13-0.

Connacht began to get more of a foothold in the contest but their pressure came without the necessary cutting edge to carve open a resilient red defence – until an exquisite score on the half-hour mark.

Robbie Henshaw sprinted onto Ronaldson’s neat chip, catching the ball on the full before beating two defenders and offloading to Marmion to streak clear and touch down for Ronaldson to convert.

But despite Connacht’s momentum – demonstrated by a pair of powerful rolling mauls – it was Munster who had the last laugh of the half, Keatley kicking a simple penalty after Aki’s high tackle on Simon Zebo.

The hosts got off to a flyer after the break, Henshaw breaking the Munster line and feeding Aki to attack the whitewash. He was held up but Ronaldson was on hand to pile over and, after a consultation with the TMO, celebrate Connacht’s second try.

With Ronaldson off the pitch for a concussion assessment Darragh Leader did the honours from the tee, reducing the gap to two points.

Henshaw and Aki continued to link up to great effect, once again finding their way deep into Munster territory but a Miah Nikora knock-on halted their progress.

They did eventually take the lead for the first time after 56 minutes, Nikora’s well-struck penalty sailing between the posts – and it was soon extended.

Marmion picked a gap in the Munster defence and after a couple of dives for the line Muldowney was there to squeeze over for Leader to convert.

With Munster chasing a late response, Connacht’s stiff resistance kept them at bay for more almost ten minutes before a turnover and a clearing kick secured a famous result.

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