Glasgow Warriors lost 25 - 17 to European Champions Munster at Thomond Park tonight.

The Warriors got off to the worst possible start conceding a try within the first 90 seconds of the match through Peter Stringer who showed excellent awareness to pounce on a Warriors error which the consistent Ronan O’Gara converted.

O’Gara was again on the scoreboard after quarter of an hour when he slotted a penalty to put some distance between the two teams, though the gap was short-lived as stand in Warriors’ fly-half, Colin Gregor, replied with a cleanly struck penalty, 10 - 3.

Having points on the board appeared to boost the confidence of the visitors and allowed Glasgow to establish a foothold in the tie - contesting the breakdown to much greater effect, meeting their opponents head on for the next 20 minutes.

Their hard work later paid off when Gregor made it two kicks from three on the half hour mark, 10 - 6.

Lineen’s faith in the skilful Gregor was rewarded with a settled flay-half performance, handling the pressure of the roudy Limerick crowd and kicking for possession with precision however Glasgow’s rise was dealt a massive blow when Magners League leading try scorer, Thom Evans, had to be substituted through injury - replaced by Hefin O'Hare.

As the half neared an end, Glasgow were offered a chance to reduce the deficit to just one point. Munster conceded a penalty just within their half and, with the referee confirming the play to be the last of the half; Glasgow opted for the kick.

Gregor’s accurate shot rebounded painfully off of the cross bar and was put out of play.

Half time: 10 - 6

A kick from O’Gara and an unconverted try from centre Barry Murphy stretched the home sides lead to 18 – 6 early in the second half.

Glasgow had to wait 20 minutes for their first score of the half which came through the boot of Gregor who added another just two minutes later after Munster were penalised for talking back to the referee, 18 – 12.

Despite managing to keep the game in reach, Glasgow lost their grip when Munster try-machine Doug Howlett collected the ball in all the space an All Black’s record try scorer needs to cross the line for Munster’s third of the afternoon. O’Gara converted, 25-12.

Increased Glasgow pressure allowed the Warriors’ to take advantage of an overlap, putting O’Hare across the line unopposed at the corner for the last score of the evening. Gregor missed the kick, 25 – 17.

Final Score: 25 - 17

Glasgow Warriors next take on Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade in the Heineken Cup on 11 October.

Glasgow Warriors squad v Munster

15 Bernardo Stortoni
14 Lome Fa’atau
13 Max Evans
12 Andrew Henderson
11 Thom Evans
10 Colin Gregor
9 Mark McMillan

1 Justin Va’a
2 Dougie Hall
3 Moray Low
4 Opeta Palepoi
5 Alastair Kellock (CAPTAIN)
6 Kelly Brown
7 John Barclay
8 John Beattie

Replacements
17 Ed Kalman
16 Kevin Tkachuk
18 Tim Barker
19 Stevie Swindall
20 Graeme Morrison
21 Ruaridh Jackson
22 Hefin O’Hare