Glasgow Warriors claimed their first ever Guinness PRO12 title at the expense of an injury-hit, outclassed Munster side.
Glasgow were nigh on irresistible for the opening half hour at Kingspan Stadium, Belfast.
Paul O’Connell put in a typically robust, ferocious display but, despite his pre-match pleas to the powers that be, he could not inspire his province to another trophy.
Leone Nakarawa’s rampaging run took out five Munster players, after eight minutes, and set up Rob Harley for a simple try.
Ian Keatley tagged back three points before Canadian winger DTH van der Merwe scorched Munster up the left wing and touched down under the posts. Henry Pyrgos’ try, after 32 minutes, made it 21-3 to the Scots as the Munster defence stuck up the ‘Out for Lunch’ sign.
Hope arrived just before half-time as Kiwi centre Andrew Smith heaved over out on the left flank and the TMO went in his favour.
Munster thought they could be right back in it, after 46 minutes, but O’Connell’s bullocking run was not reawarded with a try. Referee Nigel Owens felt he was held up by Glasgow’s defence and the video replays agreed.
Keatley chipped over a penalty, on 48 minutes, to make it 21-13 but Glasgow were not done yet. They drew in the red shirts and left Finn Russell one-on-one with loose-head prop Dave Kilcoyne. The out-half glided by and converted his own try to make it 28-13.
Owens blew for time as rain and the realisation of defeat soaked into Munster’s forlorn players. He was then forced to watch as Glasgow lifted the league trophy.
O’Connell was given a rousing send-off by the Munster faithful.
So ends an provincial career that will go down in history as one of the best yet.
O’Connell is now expected to confirm a move to Toulon and two more seasons of rugby after this year’s World Cup.
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