Warriors live up to their name

Celtic League/ Munster 20 Glasgow Warriors 26: They don't always live up to their grandiose name but Glasgow, in fact, were true warriors at Thomond Park on Saturday when 14 men somehow withstood fierce late pressure to complete a double over Munster in this season's Celtic League.

It was no more than the unrated Scots deserved, and Munster, to their credit, didn't search for excuses when trying to explain an error-ridden performance that has seen their lead at the top of the table reduced to three over Ulster, whom they meet in their next outing, at Ravenhill on Friday week.

Nothing but a hugely improved display is likely to be sufficient on that occasion, when they may have to field a side even more depleted than Saturday's.

Irish team requirements meant they had to line out without half their regular side, but they did include two of the country's best forwards at the moment in Mick O'Driscoll and Donncha O'Callaghan. One or other, or maybe even both, will surely be in Eddie O'Sullivan's mind when it comes to naming his starting XV for the clash with Wales.

However, some Munster players were guilty of basic mistakes that played into the hands of a fired-up Glasgow side.

Even though Anthony Foley put Munster ahead with a smartly taken try within three minutes of the kick-off, the Warriors raided immediately and their outstanding outhalf Colin Gregor sent scrumhalf Sam Pinder in for a soft if well taken try. Gregor converted for the first batch of a 21-point contribution that inexplicably failed to earn him the man-of-the-match award, which instead went to Munster winger John Kelly.

Gregor went on to kick a penalty before Stephen Keogh forced his way over for a Munster try following a typical maul.

But Glasgow got back in front with Gregor's second penalty only for the hard-running Barry Murphy to make one of his side's few line breaks and set up a superb try for Anthony Horgan. Mossie Lawlor converted and Munster turned over leading 17-13, an advantage they scarcely merited.

The point was underlined when Gregor landed a penalty and then scorched through for a try of his own that he also converted to push his side 23-17 ahead.

A fourth Gregor penalty on 51 minutes further strengthened the Scots' self-belief, and despite much huffing and puffing, Munster could subsequently manage only a penalty by Lawlor.

The Scots were forced to defend desperately at times and winger Mark Roberts overdid it in the 75th minute and was duly yellow carded, leaving the remaining 14 to resolutely hold out in a nailbiting climax, something they did bravely and sensibly.

"We weren't good enough and you can't take anything away from Glasgow," admitted Foley. Nobody could argue with those sentiments.

GLASGOW WARRIORS: R Lamont; H O'Hare, S Davey, G Morrison, M Roberts; C Gregor, S Pinder; K Tkachuk, F Thomson, E Murray; D Turner, C Hamilton; S Swindall, J Petrie (capt), G Haytor. Replacements: S Lawson for Thomson (h-t), S Corsar for Haytor (60 mins), G Staniforth for Morrison (65 mins), L Harrison for Murray (70 mins).

MUNSTER: S Payne; J Kelly, B Murphy, T Halstead, A Horgan; M Lawlor, T O'Leary; F Roche, D Fogarty, F Pucciariello; D O'Callaghan, M O'Driscoll; S Keogh, J O'Connor, A Foley (capt). Replacements: J O'Sullivan for O'Connor (50 mins), G Connolly for Halstead (80 mins).

Referee: N Owens (Wales).