PAINALTIES

Heartbreaking exit for brave Munster after match becomes URC'S first to be decided by place kicking shootout

- BY MICHAEL SCULLY

MORE penalty shootout heartbreak for Munster as the Reds' season ended in dramatic fashion and a number of greats exited the stage for the last time.

The sides were locked together at the end of normal and extra time but Rory Scannell's missed kick in the shootout meant Sharks progressed to a URC semi-final date next week with their compatriots Bulls.

And for Peter O'Mahony, Conor Murray, Stephen Archer and Rory Scannell it's the end of the road in the red jersey.

Just as in the 2022 Champions Cup quarter-final against Toulouse, Munster lost on penalty kicks. On that occasion it was Murray and Ben Healy's misses that proved costly.