Ian Keatley scored 21 points as Munster held off a second half comeback from rivals Leinster to claim a 34-23 win in the GUINNESS PRO12.

Tries from James Cronin, Robin Copeland, and Keatley saw Munster lead 28-9 at the break – Ian Madigan’s three penalties the only joy for Leinster.

Munster ill-discipline saw four players sent to the sin bin in the second half, with Leinster taking advantage through Darragh Fanning’s score and a penalty try.

But further penalties from Keatley and substitute JJ Hanrahan ensured Munster held on for their first victory at the Aviva Stadium in six attempts.

Leinster suffered two blows in the warm-up with Jack McGrath unable to overcome a calf injury, being replaced by Michael Bent, before Rob Kearney suffered a back injury and had to drop to the bench with Brendan Macken coming in.

But they did not seem to be affected by the disruption, taking the lead inside three minutes through Madigan’s penalty but Keatley responded for Munster immediately.

Madigan restored the defending champions’ lead after 12 minutes before Munster thought they had scored the opening try of the contest.

A series of pick-and-drives from the Munster pack fed Conor Murray but Leinster’s defence held firm and, after consultation with the TMO, the scrum-half was shown to be held-up.

Keatley levelled things up once again on 19 minutes and moments later they produced a slick move to score the first try.

A series of breaks and off-loads saw Murray receive the ball in midfield before feeding prop Cronin who stretched over.

The try saw the momentum swing the way of the Red Army and Keatley added another penalty before their pack created a second try on 32 minutes.

Cronin, Paul O’Connell and Copeland all made headway with pick and drives with Leinster desperately defending their line.

But they were unable to repel them and Copeland was able to stretch and touch the ball against the post, Keatley adding the extras to give his side a 22-6 lead.

Madigan added another penalty for Leinster to reduce the deficit but, as they looked to build some pressure, Keatley intercepted Jimmy Gopperth’s pass to run in unopposed.

Munster went close to securing a bonus point seven minutes into the second half when Copeland again drove for the try-line but he was deemed to be held up.

Gradually the home side started to grow into the game and a slick move took them to within ten metres of the Munster try-line but a knock-on from Gordon D’Arcy in contact saw the opportunity wasted.

But they were given a way back into the game when Varley and Botha were sin-binned within minutes of each other for penalties at the break-down.

And the champions made the most of their extra men with Fanning finishing off a well-worked move to go over and reduce the gap to 12 points.

Keatley added another penalty on 67 minutes to give his side further breathing space but ill-discipline would cost Munster once again two minutes later.

No sooner had Varley returned to the field, Dave Foley pulled down a Leinster maul just short of the line and referee Davies awarded a penalty try and sent the lock to the sin bin.

Murray soon joined him in the sin bin as Munster were once again penalised at the breakdown but they held on to end their Dublin drought.

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