Ian Keatley edges Munster home against Glasgow

Munster 23 Glasgow 21

Munster maintained their winning start to the campaign when they came from behind in the closing moments to snatch victory at Thomond Park.

Anthony Foley’s men though had to dig deep against a Glasgow side who are trying to negotiate the defence of their Pro12 crown with 21 players away on World Cup duty.

That has meant Gregor Townsend has had to manage his resources carefully and for a time it seemed that on-loan out-half Rory Clegg would be the hero when the former Newcastle Falcons player landed a drop goal five minutes from time to put the champions back in front.

But Munster made it three wins from three and gained a small measure of revenge for the Pro12 final defeat in May when Ian Keatley landed a match-winning penalty from 35 metres on the left two minutes from time.

It did not seem that such a dramatic intervention would be required when Munster bossed the opening half, with a superior scrum giving them ample possession.

But they had to be content with a 13-9 interval lead. A try from Gerhard van der Heever had earlier been ruled out after the TMO spotted a knock-on in the build-up by Mark Chisholm.

The reprieve was short-lived for the Scots and Dave O’Callaghan got the only try of the opening half after Glasgow flanker Tyrone Holmes was binned.

Munster went to the corner and the flanker got over in the third surge.

Clegg led the Glasgow revival after the restart and they opened up an 18-13 lead when he landed three more penalties.

Munster responded with the sort of move which has served them so well over the years and they worked a 20-phase move for BJ Botha got over to tie the match 13 minutes from the end.

Keatley converted to push Munster back in front but it looked like their winning start would end when Clegg split the posts with a drop goal.

However, there was time for Munster to respond and Keatley secured the win when he kept his nerve to land the winner.

Scorers:

Munster: Tries: D O'Callaghan, BJ Botha Cons: I Keatley (2) Pens: I Keatley (3)

Glasgow Warriors: Pens: R Clegg (6) Drop goal: R Clegg

Munster: F Jones; A Conway, D Johnston, T Bleyendaal, G van den Heever; I Keatley, D Williams; J Cronin, D Casey, S Archer; M Chisholm, D Foley; D O'Callaghan, J O'Donoghue, CJ Stander.

Replacements: S Monahan for Jones, 38; M Sherry for Casey, 46; BJ Botha for Archer, 51; C Sheridan for Williams, 56; D Kilcoyne for Cronin, 57; R Copeland for Chisholm, 57; R Scannell for Bleyendaal, 70.

Glasgow: R Hughes; J Bulumakau, H Blake, F Lyle, L Jones; R Clegg, G Hart; A Allan, P MacArthur, D Rae; R Harley (capt), S Cummings; T Holmes, C Fusaro, A Ashe.

Replacements: Z Fagerson for Rae, 29; K Low for Cummings, 57; M Blair for Hart, 64; J Eddie for Holmes, 64; J Yanuyanutawa for Allan, 70; F Scott for MacArthur, 73; G Hunter for Fusaro

Referee: B Whitehouse (WRU).