Ronan O’Mahony’s last-gasp try ensured Munster remain top of the RaboDirect PRO12 after they came from behind to defeat Scarlets in a pulsating game at Musgrave Park. Heading into the closing minutes, the Irish outfit were trailing 10-9, Scarlets having seen John Barclay touch down in the second-half, converted by Aled Thomas, who had also notched an earlier penalty. But with Scarlets down to 13 men following yellow cards to Rob Evans and Mike Poole, Munster pounced with the game’s final play as O’Mahony’s try was finally confirmed by the TMO. JJ Hanrahan, who also kicked three penalties, converted to seal the win, their eighth in a row in all competitions, and round off a remarkable night’s entertainment in wet and windy conditions. Going into the game, Munster had held a 100 per cent record against Welsh opposition this season and they had an opportunity of striking the first blow of the evening via a penalty, but Hanrahan missed the target. Scarlets’ Thomas then showed the fly-half how it was done, when he slotted over a long range kick for a 3-0 lead after 14 minutes. Munster were having joy at the scrum and another strong set piece gave Hanrahan the chance to kick for touch, before they won a penalty from the resulting line out and the Munster fly-half levelled matters on 23 minutes. It was proving to be a trade off between the kickers, Thomas this time the one to miss the target when he pulled his 31st minute penalty wide before the two sides entered the break 3-3 with rain pouring down. And while the first-half action may have been dominated by the penalties, the second 40 started with a bang as Kristian Phillips made a thrilling break for Scarlets before feeding in Barclay to touch down. Thomas completed the formalities with the conversion and Scarlets, who had not won in any competition since late November, took a 10-3 lead. But Munster were not prepared to lie down easily and another Hanrahan penalty on 47 minutes brought the deficit to four points before a lengthy break in play due to an injury to Munster’s Dave O’Callaghan. The back row was assisted off the pitch by the medics to be replaced by Donncha O’Callaghan. Despite the change, the momentum was with the hosts and another period of pressure saw Hanrahan kick another three points to move the scores to 10-9 just short of the hour. He could have nudged his side ahead on 69 minutes but he missed his second penalty of the match as the Scarlets maintained their slender lead. The Welsh side’s cause was not helped when Evans was sinbinned on 73 minutes following a Munster lineout, before Poole joined him three minutes later, leaving Scarlets with 13. Although sensing a chance to take advantage, Munster were struggling to get their hands on the ball. But with time almost up, Munster were somehow able to work some space in the corner with O’Mahony appearing to get over the line. But the tension was not up yet, with Nigel Owens consulting the TMO regarding a possible knock on in the build up, before confirming the try, with Hanrahan converting to complete the comeback.
