Sport

London Irish and O'Leary impress

Munster 10 London Irish 34: MUNSTER ENDED their pre-season campaign on a dismal note as Tomás O’Leary came back to haunt them…

Sat Aug 25 2012 - 01:00

Munster 10 London Irish 34:MUNSTER ENDED their pre-season campaign on a dismal note as Tomás O'Leary came back to haunt them at Musgrave Park last night.

Tries from Topsy Ojo, Steven Shingler and Marland Yarde helped London Irish to the win, but an error-strewn showing from Munster will worry with the new season just a week away.

Shingler kicked the visitors ahead from his second penalty attempt after 17 minutes.

O’Leary created the first try as he broke cleverly off the back of a rolling maul and exchanged passes with Ofisa Treviranus.

READ MORE

O’Leary in turn released Shingler and the former England international winger Topsy Ojo touched down.

Shingler added the extra points and he soon stretched the Premiership side’s lead to 13-0 after 30 minutes when Munster charged off their feet at the ruck.

Ian Keatley converted a late penalty from the left to leave it 13-3 at half-time. A serious neck injury to Scottish international Joe Ansbro saw the game held up for 10 minutes but soon afterwards London Irish stretched their lead thanks to Shingler’s third successful penalty.

Two further penalties from Shingler put the result beyond doubt and he added a 58th-minute try when he finished off a fine break from replacement Gerard Ellis.

Marland Yarde added London Irish’s final try before Sean Henry touched down for Munster.

Scorers: MUNSTER: Tries: S Henry. Cons: S Deasy. Pens: I Keatley. LONDON IRISH: Tries: T Ojo, S Shingler, M Yarde. Cons: S Shingler (2). Pens: S Shingler (5)

MUNSTER: D Hurley (S Scanlon 67); D Howlett, C Laulala, J Downey (I Dineen 57), J Murphy; I Keatley (S Deasy 51), D Williams (P Stringer 66); W du Preez (M Horan 51), D Varley ( S Henry 57), BJ Botha (S Archer 67); D Foley (P Donnellan 62), B Holland; T O’Donnell (P Butler 62), S Dougall, J Coughlan.

LONDON IRISH: T Homer (C Gaston 59); T Ojo; J Joseph (F Horan 63), J Ansbro (M Yarde 41), S Tagicakibau; S Shingler, T O’Leary (D Allinson 51); M Lahiff, S Lawson (S Malton 59), L Halavatua (J Doherty 59); G Skivington (K Low 51), B Evans; J Gibson (A Gray 59); O Treviranus (G Ellis 57); J Fisher. Referee: David Wilkinson (IRFU).