Sean Cronin’s try ensured Leinster will have a shot at successive Guinness PRO14 titles, as his side beat Munster 24-9 to earn a spot in the season’s showpiece game against Glasgow Warriors.

An energy-sapping semi-final at the RDS Arena went the way of the hosts thanks to a second-half score from the hooker, involving fine handling in the backline by his front-row colleagues Tadhg Furlong and Cian Healy.

Twelve points from the boot of Ross Byrne and a late James Lowe try made sure it was Leinster who will play for the trophy at Celtic Park next weekend.

Leinster fly-half Byrne, standing in for World Rugby Player of the Year Johnny Sexton, was successful with an early penalty but there was a near-instant response from Carbery for the visitors to make it 3-3.

A breathless opening quarter continued with breaks from Jordan Larmour and Lowe, which gave Leinster their first sniff of the Munster tryline.

The ²⁰¹⁷⁄₁₈ Guinness PRO14 champions pushed hard for the line, with the returning Josh van der Flier bundled out just short after good work at the lineout from hooker Cronin.

But Munster powered back, with Tadhg Beirne’s burst through the gap looking to have created an overlap.

Johann van Graan’s men looked to go wide but Leinster’s Lowe knocked on deliberately to break up the attack, with referee Mike Adamson sending him to the sinbin before Munster fly-half Carbery nudged them in front with another penalty.

Despite Munster’s man advantage it was Leinster who scored next, drawing level thanks to a Byrne penalty.

The half ended on a sour note for the hosts as second row Devin Toner left the field with a nasty-looking knee injury, as he was replaced by Scott Fardy.

Leinster went in 9-6 up after Larmour’s break led to a penalty when the Munster defenders did not roll away, with Byrne taking advantage with his third successful attempt at the posts.

The hosts kept the pace up as the second half started, Cronin’s cannon-balling break leading to scrum-half Luke McGrath’s pass hitting the retreating Niall Scannell to win another penalty – which was kicked successfully by Byrne to make it 12-6.

But the game continued to swing back and forth, this time Carbery notching a kick from in front of the post when Fardy was penalised.

Lowe had a series of half breaks just minutes later, which set up Cronin for the game’s first try.

The hosts showed the diverse skills of their pack before the hooker dived over, with props Furlong and Healy helping spread it wide for their front-row colleague to score.

Byrne stayed perfect from the tee to make it 19-9 before he was replaced by Sexton.

The match continued to sway back and forth as the visitors struggled to make the incisive break needed to salvage the match. Munster continued to run the ball from deep but Leinster’s defence managed to keep the visitors at arm’s length.

And Leinster rounded off their semi-final triumph in style with Lowe making the most of a central scrum when the ball came his way. He stepped around Munster full-back Mike Haley on the left-wing to complete their triumph with a try, as it finished 24-9.

The Guinness PRO14 Final is one of the most entertaining games in the rugby calendar and takes place in Glasgow’s Celtic Park on May 25. Tickets start at just £25 for adults, £1 for kids. Visit www.pro14rugby.org/finaltickets