Nicola Constantinou - Edinburgh bid farewell to two legends

There was a sell-out crowd at Hive Stadium with a lot of Munster fans making the trip over the fan village was full before the match.  

Flags were being given out by academy players, squad members like Emiliano Boffelli, Harry Paterson, Glen Young and Connor Boyle were milling about signing flags, throwing balls around or getting selfies with fans. 

The squad selection was almost identical to the previous week with the only change being Vellacott starting instead of Price. 'Boff' was still unavailable so Matt Currie was on the wing again, but it was another strong team selection.  

READ MORE: Edinburgh boss issues Emiliano Boffelli injury update

Munster also went strong but were missing a couple of names with no Peter O’Mahony or Simon Zebo.  

With Munster fighting for a home play-off place and Edinburgh fighting to stay in the top eight, it was a tantalising prospect 

Six minutes into the first half we got our first points from the boot of Ben Healy when Munster were penalised for not rolling away and this was extended to 6-0 before Munster got the first try of the match when Antoine Frisch scored, but with the conversion missed and a further Healy penalty, we remained in front.  

We had our first try of the match after a lovely little chip from Mark Bennett landed nicely in his hands, but five minutes from half time that man Frisch struck again with Crowley successfully converting it this time we went into half time with a slight lead 16-12. 

Mark Bennett scores for Edinburgh (Image: SNS)

Just minutes after the second half started Crowley found space in our defence and took the visitors into the lead for the first time, successfully converting his own try but shortly after Healy scored another penalty to level the game.  

From the restart we were penalised and Crowley sent it to the corner, upon turning the ball over Healy cleared the line and was taken out by a late tackle. 

Ben Healy protests a decision (Image: SNS)

This led to some ‘handbags’ and somehow, despite Healy being flattened, it ended up being a penalty to Munster from which they scored a converted try. I’ve yet to fathom in my head how the decision went that way.  

Bennett almost gave us a second try in the 63rd minute, the referee yellow carded Connor Murray and we felt maybe a penalty try was coming from the cynical play but nothing was awarded.

We then went through four scrum resets before finally getting awarded a try by Boan Venter, again successfully converted by Healy and we were all even again at 26 apiece.  

But just 10 minutes from time, Crowley kicked the winning penalty as Munster won 29-26 

READ MORE: Five things we learned from Edinburgh's narrow loss to Munster

Despite the loss I think this was some of the best rugby we have played all season and it was certainly the best atmosphere in the stadium.  

A sold-out crowd packed into Hive Stadium (Image: SNS)

The team showed real intent and the work they put in was immense. You could see they were trying everything they could think of and didn’t give up.  

The difference between the teams felt like just the bounce of the ball or the blow of the referees whistle, there really wasn’t much in it at all. Munster are now top of the URC and coming that close to them I think is a testiment to how far we have come this season.  

Last year we won just six matches finishing in 12th position with just 38 points. This season we have won 11 matches with one still to go, are in seventh place with 49 points. A big step up from last year, and big expectations for an even bigger step up next year. Stand out player again for me this week was Jamie Ritchie who seemed to be everywhere, but Mark Bennett also made a big impact. 

I’m proud too of our fanbase and how everyone rose to the occasion. We need to make The Hive a tough place to come to and get a win.

We need to boost the team, give them their second wind and a reason to pick themselves up and keep working and we really did that on Friday night. Let’s learn from that and work harder next season to bring that to every match. 

We ended the evening in the clubhouse giving the Bru-Head player of the season award away. It was won by Wes Goosen.

Unfortunately he was injured during the match so could not collect it. Instead it was picked up by WP Nel and Bill Mata - not bad replacements.

Tearful farewells were said as this was both players’ last match at home. Both have given so much to the club and the fans - they will be missed by us all. 

READ MORE: Why departing duo rank among Edinburgh's best-ever signings

So, Edinburgh's play-off hopes all come down to our last match against Benetton on June 1 at the Stadio Monigo, if we win with a bonus point we will be assured at least seventh place due to our higher number of match wins compared to those around us and will make the playoffs and secure Champions Cup rugby next season.  

If we win without a bonus point and we’ll need to see the results from the Stormers vs Lions match. It is that close. If we play as well as we did on Friday though it is definitely possible.