CONNACHT 35-14 MUNSTER
Niyi Adeolokun scored twice as Connacht scored 29 unanswered points to claim a bonus-point 35-14 win over Irish provincial rivals Munster and move back ahead of Glasgow Warriors into second-place in the Guinness PRO12.
But with Anthony Foley's side down to 14 men, Connacht sprang into action and it was Adeolokun who took advantage of some excellent Bundee Aki play to score his first of the evening.
A penalty try on the stroke of half-time meant Connacht led 20-14 at the break and then Adeolokun's second extended their lead and Finlay Bealham the bonus point score.
Pat Lam's side bounced back from European heart-break last weekend and effectively ended Munster's hopes of a play-off spot by completing their first-ever league double against the Munstermen - Foley's men now sit seventh, with a serious battle for Champions Cup rugby on their hands.
A stray Munster hand in the ruck allowed O'Leary to put Connacht ahead after eight minutes, but it was Zebo who made the first real statement of the half - Munster's record try-scorer going over for a try on his 100th appearance for the province. Johnny Holland converted.
O'Leary reduced the deficit to one point with another successful penalty, but again it was Munster - summoning the forward power of old - whose superb driving maul left Connacht scrambling backwards, hooker Sherry the man to dot down and Holland again on point with the shoe.
Having built up an eight point buffer after 24 minutes, Munster - like every side that have played the Men from Galway this season - witnessed the grit of Connacht under Lam.
With eight minutes remaining, James Cronin saw yellow and Lam's men made their numerical advantage count as the superb Aki bust through Munster's scrambled defensive line before moving the ball to Finlay Bealham, who sent Adeolokun racing under the posts. O'Leary nudged an easy conversion to bring Connacht within a point again.
Aki was again to the fore as Connacht came roaring into the half with a minute remaining, the all-action centre almost raced clear from his own half, but Munster scrambled well.
Foley's men found themselves under severe pressure at the scrum and when Billy Holland was sent to the sin-bin, Connacht made no mistake with a two man advantage in the pack and Ben Whitehouse was left with no choice but to march Munster under the posts for a penalty try that O'Leary converted for a 20-14 half-time lead.
Prop Dennis Buckley stole a march in a back and forth second-half, when he won his 19th turnover of the season - jackling superbly over Holland and clinching a penalty for Lam's side, which moved them deep into Munster territory.
Robbie Henshaw - playing at full-back - dropped a cute kick in-behind Munster and Adeolokun profited from an awkward bounce to collect the ball and touch down for the easiest of finishes. O'Leary's kick drifted wide in a fierce breeze at the Sportsground.
It was two hugely promising youngsters who combined for the bonus point score - and ultimately to put the game beyond Munster.
Ultan Dillane's powerful carry put Connacht firmly on the front foot, deep into opposition territory and when the ball was recycled Bealham ran over and O'Leary sent his fifth successful kick of the night over to send the Sportsground into delirium.
O'Leary knocked over one final penalty with the last kick of the game to truly rub salt in the Munster wound.
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