Munster maintain winning run as Leinster loom large

MUNSTER will set out to complete their own version of the ‘Drive for Five’ at the new Aviva Stadium this Saturday when the Magners League leaders lock horns with Leinster (7.30pm).
In-form Munster made it four wins on the trot in the league when recording a 43-29 bonus-point victory over the Glasgow Warriors at Firhill on Friday night.
The victory has helped Munster build a three-point lead over the Scarlets at the top of the Magners League table.
Munster will travel to the Aviva Stadium in confident mood, but also conscious of the fact that Leinster have emerged victorious in each of the four most recent meetings between the provinces.
The versatile Johne Murphy opened his try-scoring account for Munster, bagging a brace of touchdowns in the impressive come-from-behind victory over the Warriors on Friday.
Stand-in captain Denis Leamy and in-form flanker Niall Ronan also crossed the Warriors’ whitewash.
Out-half Ronan O’Gara stamped his mark on the fourth round game kicking 23 points which included four second half penalty goals.
Glasgow had edged their way into a 26-17 half-time lead.
At the same time Munster were recording a previous away win in Scotland, Leinster were succumbing to a 32-24 defeat to Edinburgh at Murrayfield.
The defeat, Leinster’s third in four Magners League fixtures, has seen last season’s play-off finalists slip down to ninth place in the table.
Saturday evening’s game at the Aviva Stadium will be televised live on TG4.
Leinster Rugby has announced that only 3,500 tickets are available for the glamour Magners league tie with Munster at the Aviva Stadium.
Limited seats are available in all categories of the stadium priced between €30 and €70. Tickets for the game can be purchased from ticketmaster (ticketmaster.ie).
Leinster Chief Executive Mick Dawson said: “There has been a steady take-up over the past few weeks and we are delighted to announce that over 47,500 tickets have now been sold for the Munster match”.
Meanwhile, on the club front, Limerick sides experienced a mixed day in the opening round of the ODM Financial Munster Senior Cup. Holders Young Munster surrendered their grip on the Cup after suffering a 27-20 defeat to UL-Bohemian at Annacotty. Munsters will be concerned by the knee injury sustained by scrum-half and the club’s Director of Rugby, Mike Prendergast late on in the game with Friday night’s opening round AIL tie with Garryowen at Dooradoyle looming large. UL Bohemian’s prize for knocking out the holders is a last eight tie with either Garryowen or UCC in November.
In the weekend’s second all-Limerick Munster Senior Cup clash Bruff recorded a surprise 21-14 victory over Cup specialists Shannon at Kilballyowen Park.
Bruff will now enjoy home advantage for their quarter-final clash with Cork Constitution.
Elsewhere, Thomond suffered a dramatic extra-time defeat to Highfield while Old Crescent exited the Cup at the hands of Midleton. Garryowen’s scheduled clash with UCC did not take place as a result of the students Dudley Cup commitments.

COLM KINSELLA