Munster's experience in the opening encounter against Harlequins in the European Cup at the Stoop Memorial Ground yesterday did not produce a victory, but it most certainly did provide an encouraging beginning to what will be a difficult campaign.
Faced by a Harlequins team that featured an array of multinational talent, drawn from seven countries, the task proved just outside the range of Munster's compass.
It was a match that produced 11 tries, 88 points and even some controversy - centred on an incident between the Harlequins captain, Keith Wood, and his long-time friend, Munster captain Mick Galwey.
Wood's introduction to the representative scene was in the red jersey of Munster. His presence in the Harlequins team and the wide area from which the players were drawn, emphasised, as well as anything will, the true nature of the difficulties facing Irish teams in the competition in the current professional era. Yet the vibrancy of the human spirit was more than evident in those who wore the famous red jersey.
While Wood did see his team prevail against his old colleagues, he saw it from the bench. Wood had to leave the field after 38 minutes as a result of a punch from Galwey. The incident earned Galwey a yellow card. "Keith was coming through a maul and I was trying to drive him back as he caught Mark McDermott. I did not mean to punch him in the face and offered my apologies to him immediately," said Galwey.
Wood, the area around his nose and eyes bearing testimony to the punch said: "I honestly have not a clue what happened. I was trying to get to the ball and got a punch in the eye. Mick is one of my best friends and I must accept his apology".
When pressed as to whether or not he thought it was accidental, he said: "It is hard to see how it was, I am not sure I would accept that, but of course I accepted his apology". Then, with a grin, he said: "I will get him back in the return match in a few weeks' time".
By the time the incident occurred, Munster had overcome a nightmare start. After 18 minutes, a confident Harlequins led an apprehensive Munster by 20-3.
After Harlequins out-half Thierry Lacroix and Ronan O'Gara exchanged penalties, Munster had found themselves conceding ground, penalties and scores as they struggled to contain. Lacroix added a second penalty and then scrum-half Nick Walshe and wing Laurent Belligoi scored tries, converted by Will Carling and Rob Liley, an early replacement for the injured Lacroix.
But if hesitancy and uncertainty marked Munster's early efforts, they improved immeasurably. Anthony Horgan got a try in the 25th minute after a pass from Conor Burke, O'Gara hit an upright with the conversion attempt from the touchline. Then flanker Alan Quinlan scored a superb try in the 28th minute. Quinlan gathered the ball as it ran loose after Harlequins won a scrum on halfway, set off on a great run, sold a great dummy and scored under the posts. O'Gara converted and Munster had, remarkably, cut the deficit to five points. Liley and O'Gara exchanged penalties and so it stood at 23-18 when the incident between Galwey and Wood took place. It was to prove costly for Munster.
Munster, in fact, had been awarded a penalty just inside the Harlequins half, but Galwey's action meant decision reversed and a yellow card. It gave Harlequins the chance to establish an attacking position near the Munster line and the defence cracked as Liley scored a try after a delicate chip and was decreed to have won the race for the ball. He also converted and his side led 30-18 at the break .
The Munster pack had cut down the Harlequins forward dominance, Galwey, Shane Leahy, Peter Clohessy, Eddie Halvey and Quinlan were in the vanguard of the resurgence. And within seven minutes of the restart, Munster were level with Galwey forcing his way over for a try which and O'Gara converted. Then John Lacey followed up with a fine try in the right corner. Munster won a line-out, Halvey was at the heart of the advance and Lacey got in at the right corner. It was 30-30 and O'Gara had the conversion from the touchline to give Munster the lead. He failed to land it, but Harlequins knew they now had a match on their hands.
The Munster pack matched their multi-national opponents and O'Gara played very well, with his tactical kicking of a high order. His display earned praise from Ireland coach Brian Ashton, an interested spectator.
In the 52nd minute, Harlequins regained the lead when full back Jamie Williams got a try after a scrum. But Munster's response was a penalty from O'Gara to leave just two points between the teams. Then Liley stretched Harlequins' lead to 38-33 as the match entered the final 10 minutes.
There was no let up by Munster, but Carling was allowed far too much freedom with seven minutes to go and his break opened the way for a second try from Williams and Harlequins led 43-33.
Then tremendous Munster pressure almost saw the Harlequins line breached twice. Quinlan was just inches short and then O'Gara could not hold a pass with every prospect of a try. Harlequins broke out of defence and replacement scrum-half Huw Harries got his side's sixth try to leave Harlequins 48-33 in front. But Munster came back valiantly and Conor Burke got a try in injury time after a lovely chip through the Harlequins defence. O'Gara crowned a fine display with the conversion for a personal total of 15 points.
Scoring sequence: 3 minutes: Lacroix penalty, 3-0; 6: O'Gara penalty, 3-3; 8: Lacroix penalty, 6-3; 13: Walshe try. Carling conversion, 133; 18: Belligoi try, Liley conversion, 20-3; 25: Horgan try, 20-8; 28: Quinlan try, O'Gara conversion, 20-25; 32: Liley penalty, 23-15; 33: O'Gara penalty 23-18; 40: Liley try, Liley conversion, 30-18; 43: Galwey try, O'Gara conversion, 30-25; 47: Lacey try, 30-30; 52: Williams try, 3530; 65: O'Gara penalty, 35-33; 67: Liley penalty, 38-33; 73: Williams try, 43-33; 82: Harries try, 48-33; 84: Burke try, O'Gara conversion, 48-40.
Harlequins: J Williams; D O'Leary, W Carling, J Nguaumo, L Belligoi; T Lacroix, N Walshe; M Cuttitta, K Wood, capt, J Leonard, Gareth Llewellyn, Glyn Llewellyn, H Allison, B Davidson, L Cabannes. Replacements: R Liley for Lacroix, 13 minutes; T Billups for Wood, 38 minutes; H Harries for Walshe, 50 minutes; R Jenkins for Glyn Llewellyn, 52 minutes.
Munster: D Crotty (Garryowen); J Lacey (Shannon), C Burke (Sundays Well), R Ellison (Shannon), A Horgan (Cork Constitution); R O'Gara (Cork Constitution), B O'Meara (Cork Constitution); I Murray (Cork Constitution), M McDermott (Shannon), P Clohessy (Young Munster), M Galwey (Shannon), capt, S Leahy (Garryowen), E Halvey (Shannon), G Tuohy (Sundays Well), A Quinlan (Shannon). Replacememts: A McSweeney (UCC) for Murray, 62 minutes; S McIvor (Garryowen) for O'Meara, 74 minutes; U O'Callaghan (Cork Constituition) for Leahy, 76 minutes. Temporary replacement: S McCahill (Sunday's Well ) for Ellison,
Referee: P Thomas (France).
