OFF AND CON
Reds get season under way in clinical style...all without star man Murray
THE mystery surrounding Conor Murray’s injury has deepened after Munster coach Johann van Graan refused to clarify what’s wrong with him or how long he will be out.
The 29-year-old Lions scrum-half (inset) has been sidelined with a neck or shoulder injury but van Graan would not confirm the nature of the problem after they opened their campaign in impressive fashion on Saturday.
It was a record-breaking PRO14 opening day success for Munster but they had to do it without their most valuable player who could miss out on their European games against Exeter Chiefs and Gloucester. Van Graan said: “I can’t comment on Conor’s injury, I wasn’t in a position to comment on it on Monday. He’s got an injury and it’s positive but we just have to take it day-by-day.”
But Neil Cronin had a great debut at scrum-half in his absence against the South
Africans while Arno Botha,
Shane Daly and Mike Haley also impressed in their first outings.
Munster were 12-0 up at half-time with tries from Rory Scannell and Dave Kilcoyne, with efforts from Tommy O’donnell, JJ Hanrahan, Dave O’callaghan and Darren Sweetnam sealing the win after the restart.
“I’m pretty happy with the first game but it’s such a long way to go – it’s my first full season so there will be ebbs and flows,” said van Graan. “Not one team in this competition will go out and play well straight through so the challenge for us is to be consistent.” Munster next face a Glasgow side that just saw off Connacht thanks to a late Stuart Hogg drop goal but the Reds will hope to build on this impressive showing.
It’s now three straight wins over Cheetahs but a game against the 2015 PRO12 champions will be a true test of van Graan’s players.
And the introduction of Joey Carbery was a huge plus, the former Leinster out-half getting 26 minutes of action in which he impressed.
Van Graan said: “I’m pretty happy with Joey, he slotted straight into No.10, had some good decision-making and then that nice pass he got away to Dave O’callaghan for his try.
“From day one I like an all-round game. There was perfect conditions and I want guys to make the right decisions. If it’s on you throw that offload, if it’s not you keep it.”