Munster coach Tony McGahan admitted pride was at stake on Saturday as they clinched a 28-14 Heineken Cup victory over London Irish.
Bonus-point win boosts Munster despite Cup exit
Munster coach Tony McGahan admitted pride was at stake on Saturday as they clinched a 28-14 Heineken Cup victory over London Irish.
The two-time champions had to lift themselves after crashing out of Pool 3 with defeat at Toulon last week, the first time they had not made the last eight in 13 years.
But with a possible place in next season's Amlin Challenge Cup at stake, the Irish side did at least have something to play for.
And after a first-half stalemate, Damien Varley, Niall Ronan, Keith Earls and replacement Darragh Hurley all crossed for second-half tries to give them a bonus-point win.
"We were playing for our lives really," said the Australian coach. "We were playing at home with a tremendous record, which has been gained over a long period of time with a lot of guts, spirit and passion.
Driving force
"We certainly weren't ready to give that up. With our record at home it was important that we gave a performance.
"It's been a tough week and although this result doesn't mask previous performances on the road, it certainly leaves a lot to build on.
"The Amlin Challenge Cup certainly wasn't our driving force. We didn't speak about it or hang our hat on it. Our driving force was getting a result here at home and all that that entails.
"The next stage was always about today, 80 minutes, and trying to get some, though not all, redemption from last week."
Exiles had little to play for but coach Toby Booth was nevertheless satisfied that his side had learned from their unsuccessful European venture.
"I wasn't actually at the draw. I was on holidays and when the message came through, I thought I had been drinking," he quipped.
"Munster were top seeds in tier one, the Ospreys were seeded top of tier two, we were seeded top of tier three, and Toulon were top seeds of tier four.
"Mathematically you can't get any tougher than. Whether that is right or wrong, that is the situation. That is the luck of the draw I'm afraid."
