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Johann Van Graan Says It's All To Play For Despite Munster Losing Out In Titanic Battle With Exeter

Johann Van Graan Says It's All To Play For Despite Munster Losing Out In Titanic Battle With Exeter
Colman Stanley
By Colman Stanley
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Munster will go into next week’s Champions Cup second-leg against Exeter Chiefs hoping to recover a five point deficit, although being in an a position of an uphill battle is something they often relish.

It’s hard to say which side will be more pleased with today’s result, as both would have been expecting more. However, it sets up potentially the most intriguing second-leg round of 16 second clash.

Exeter ran out 13-8 victors, having survived being dealt the blow two yellow card within a minute of each other, putting them down to 13 men.

The home side got off to a flying start with Stuart Hogg scoring a try after latching on to a Tom O’Flaherty break, with just five minutes on the clock.

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After a relatively uneventful next 30 minutes, Munster’s Jack O’Sullivan received a yellow card before Jacques Vermeulen scored Exeter’s second try after a series of pick and goes close to the line.

Leading 10-0 at half-time, Exeter were in control but threatened to foil themselves with two yellow cards in quick succession.

The first card was for Olly Woodburn in the 60th minute for a high tackle, the second was for Patrick Schickerling for playing the ball on the ground.

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Munster were able to take advantage with a try through Shane Daly after a beautiful finish by the winger. At 13-8, a betting man would have probably backed Munster to go on and steal the game.

It was not to be however, and arguably the play of the game came in the 65th minute when Stuart Hogg sent over a monstrous drop-goal in the 65th minute, which may prove crucial when both legs are said and done.

Exeter could have gone further ahead were it not for some superb as latch ditch defending and a simply astounding try saving tackle from Keith Earls.

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It finished 13-8 with it all to play for next week in the Champions Cup second leg at Thomond Park, and Munster will be buoyed by some epic performances by the of John Hodnett and Jack O’Donoghue who channelled the likes of David Wallace and Alan Quinlan, and showed signs of the Munster of old.

Speaking after the game, Johann van Graan said it was still all to play for in the return fixture.

It should be a cracker.

SEE ALSO: Watch: Toulouse Man Sent Off For Shocking Tackle In The Air On Ulster Winger

Ulster Champions Cup

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