Narrow defeat for Connacht against Munster

Connacht were beaten 20-17 by Munster in a gripping PRO14 contest at Thomand Park, Limerick, this evening.

Just one penalty separated the sides, but in the end it was enough for Munster to confirm their place as Conference B table-toppers and qualify for the PRO14 final.

Tries in either half by Matt Healy (the opening score) and Paul Boyle, both of which were converted by Jack Carty, and a first-half penalty, also slotted over by Carty, were enough to see Connacht level with Munster at 17 points apiece going into the final stretch.

However, a late penalty from replacement out-half Joey Carbery proved the difference between two closely-matched sides.

Munster's tries came from James Cronin in the first half and Mike Haley in the second, both of which were converted (Cronin's by Ben Healy, who also scored a penalty early in the second half, and Haley's by Carbery).

Connacht were full value for their 10-7 lead at the break and were still in with a chance of claming victory at 17-17 but, pushing for a game-winning score, they were dealt a sucker-punch with Carbery kicking what proved to be the decisive penalty.

There was some consolation for Connacht, for whom Mayo man Dave Heffernan had a fine game, as Gavin Thornbury was named man of the match following a contest in which Connacht matched the Conference B leaders all the way.

Munster's reward is a place in the PRO14 final for the first time since 2017, in which they will face either Leinster or Ulster.