RED DEAD 8 REDEMPTION

Blues gain revenge at Thomond for Croke Park humbling

- DEREK FOLEY

LEINSTER gained a measure of revenge for their Croke Park defeat to Munster in an immensely physical encounter at Thomond Park.

After Leinster led 7-0 thanks to a Josh van der Flier try at halftime, the roles were reversed in the second-half with Munster spending the last quarter launching multi-phase attack after multi-phase attack.

But of the three significant 25-plus phase attempts to breach the Leinster's try-line, just one would be successful - Dan Kelly getting the home side's only try.

Josh van der Flier picked up man of the match, Harry Byrne sent a Six Nations message to Andy Farrell about how to play tight and with control and Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Caelan Doris and van der Flier were outstanding in defence.

Munster's Tom Ahern sent his own Six Nations message while, once again, Gavin Coombes, Alex Nankivell and Jack O'Donoghue were brimming with physical bravery.

Leinster opened well, gaining penalty after penalty as they poured forward in attack.