GAA: Munster bashed as Irish take first blood; Munster 5 London Irish 12.Byline: EDWARD NEWMAN
Edward Newman (May 13, 1801 - June 12, 1876) was an English entomologist, botanist and writer. Newman was born in Hampstead into a Quaker family. AN experimental Munster side were left licking their wounds when London Irish
London Irish (also known as The Exiles) are an English rugby union club who are based in Sunbury, Surrey (16 miles from London) where they train. posted two tries in a deserved victory in this pre-season friendly. There was plenty of Munster passion shown in the opening 10 minutes but for all their huffing and puffing, they found it near impossible to breach a solid Irish defence. It was their first visit to Thomond Park Thomond Park is a stadium in Limerick, Ireland. It is the home of Shannon RFC, UL Bohemian RFC and Munster Rugby. The stadium holds a special place in rugby due to its own unique history and atmosphere. and London Irish looked determined to make their mark on local rugby fans. Despite the best efforts of record All-Black try scorer, Christian Cullen Christian Mathias Cullen (born February 12, 1976 in Paraparaumu) was a New Zealand rugby union footballer who played most of his rugby at fullback for the All Blacks, for the Hurricanes in the Super 14, and for Manawatu, Wellington and later Munster at provincial level. to get his backs moving, the visitors were ultra-tight in defence, where Justin Bishop and Kieron Dawson excelled. New Munster signing Paul Burke tried to play the percentages with some fine kicking in behind the Irish defence but Munster's lineout couldn't force any turnover ball. The deadlock was broken in the 29th minute when a beautiful chip by prominent outhalf Mark Mapletoft was misjudged by Anthony Horgan and London Irish flanker Kieron Dawson pounced for the game's opening try. Mapletoft converted and though Horgan came close before the interval, Munster's efforts came to nought. Alan Gaffney rung the changes at the break and on the restart Steven Keogh had a wonderful chance to life Munster's spirits but fumbled near the line. There was a breakthrough in the 52nd minute when Cullen intercepted on his own 22, went on a 50 yard run and after being pulled won, McPahil kicked on for Brian Touhy to touch down. However Irish had the last say when Pierre Durant got in for his side's second try in the 72nd minute to seal what turned out to be a fairly convincing win. CAPTION(S): CHANCE: Stephen Keogh had a great opportunity to score |
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