MUNSTER succumbed to a late collapse against Glasgow Warriors last night — giving up an 11-POINT lead with as many minutes left to play.
And it means that the Reds have lost two successive games to Scottish opposition, having fallen to Edinburgh last week.
They did at least leave with a losing bonus point — but that will mean little to a side who twice held big leads and had lots of possession.
Munster led 15-14 at the break, with Gavin Coombes prominent, having enjoyed 70 per cent of the ball — while playing against the wind.
And they hit the front after 17 minutes while their lock Fineen Wycherley was in the bin for a tip tackle.
A turnover from scrum-half Paddy Patterson on his opposite number George Horne inside his own half created the counter-attack.
And it ended with full-back Ben O’Connor feeding the ball back inside for John Hodnett to score following a precise crosskick from out-half Tony Butler.
Butler then added the extras from the left flank.
It got better for Munster six minutes later when winger Seán O’Brien raced clear to score through three defenders while the visitors had a penalty advantage.
But Glasgow — who came into the weekend as top try scorers in the league — hit back with Horne involved twice in a superb move to cross the line.
Butler extended the lead when — remarkably — he landed only Munster’s second penalty of the campaign in their 13th game after a couple of earlier efforts to touch on the right yielded nothing.
That made it 15-7 but Glasgow again struck from deep.
And this time it was winger Kyle Steyn who marked his return from injury with a burst from inside his own half through the middle.
Adam Hasting’s second conversion left the minimum between them at the interval.
Butler extended Munster’s lead with a penalty in front of the posts after 55 minutes during a dull third quarter.
But Glasgow’s cause was not helped by veteran replacement out-half Duncan Weir twice failing to find touch and Hastings doing likewise from penalties inside the Munster half.
Munster countered and with Tom Farrell doing well to fend off challenges, he set up O’Brien who bounced off a few defenders to score his second try.
Replacement Rory Scannell soon added the extras as it looked like Munster were home and hosed.
But Glasgow hit back.
Scottish international Matt Fagerson drove over after a tapped penalty after 69 minutes.
And then five minutes from time, Munster paid the price for not cleaning up after disrupting a Glasgow scrum.
Prop Nathan McBeth was then able to pounce for the bonus-point try and the win when he drilled his way over.
SCORERS — Glasgow Warriors: Tries, Horne, Steyn, Fagerson, McBeth; cons, Hastings 4.
Munster: Tries, O’Brien 2, Hodnett; cons, Butler, Scannell; pens, Butler 2.
