Joey Carbery stars as Munster reach Champions Cup quarters at Exeter’s expense

Joey Carbery and Peter O’Mahony inspired a stirring 26-10 Heineken Champions Cup win for Munster as they knocked out 2020 champions Exeter at Thomond Park.

Chiefs travelled with a 13-8 first-leg lead, but Carbery reeled off 21 points, captain O’Mahony was the turnover king, and Damian De Allende’s 72nd-minute try booked their quarter-final place.

Back from injury, fly-half Carbery kicked two penalties and converted his own 25th-minute try as Munster – despite Conor Murray’s early sin-binning – built a 13-5 half-time lead.

Sam Maunder’s try from a quick tap was Exeter’s only first-half score, with a late Joe Simmonds penalty falling wide.

South African number eight Jacques Vermeulen drove over in the 48th minute, giving the visitors a narrow aggregate advantage.

Munster finished the stronger, though, with Carbery adding a brace of penalties before De Allende delivered the decisive blow, sealing a 34-23 aggregate victory.

Carbery split the posts with a fifth-minute penalty, yet Exeter threatened twice out wide and then used their powerful pick and drives, led by Vermeulen and Dave Ewers, to press for a try.

FULL-TIME: Munster 26-10 Exeter ChiefsYESSSS!Munster are into our 19th @Champions Cup quarter-final after a fantastic battle against Exeter at Thomond Park!Joey Carbery scored 21 points with Damian de Allende touching down as we win 34-23 on aggregate. #MUNvEXE #SUAF