Magners League: O’Gara’s late penalty helps Munster stay top

Munster 22-20 Glasgow Warriors

A penalty from Ronan O’Gara four minutes from time earned Munster a narrow win over a determined Glasgow Warriors outfit at Musgrave Park on Saturday evening.

A Ruaridh Jackson drop goal after 68 minutes had given Glasgow a one point lead that looked as if it might be enough to claim a famous win, but O’Gara intervened with a late three pointer after Bernardo Stortoni had infringed close to the Warriors’ try line.

Munster trailed 10-3 at the break after conceding a try to Warriors’ scrum half Colin Gregor three minutes before half time, which was converted by Ruaridh Jackson. Jackson and O’Gara had both kicked earlier penalties as the hosts struggled to get going in the opening half.

O’Gara put Munster in front with three penalties in the space of ten minutes at the start of the second half and after the out half converted a David Wallace try just after the hour mark, Munster were well in control and looked set for a comfortable victory.

After 65 minutes, however, DTH van der Merwe crossed for a try for the Warriors and Jackson’s conversion put the Scottish side to within two points of the lead.

Jackson’s drop goal three minutes later put the Warriors a point ahead, but O’Gara’s penalty sealed a hard-earned win for Tony McGahan’s side, who maintain their position at the top of the Magners League table, nine points ahead of Llanelli Scarlets in second place.