FOR the second week running Munster coach Johann van Graan had young out-half Ben Healy to thank for a late victory, as his late kick in a 25-23 victory in an exciting Pro14 encounter over rivals Edinburgh.

“He’s been excellent. It’s about using opportunities and he has taken both of the opportunities that he has got.

“We said that this would be a fight. This was a desperate Edinburgh team, a quality Edinburgh team. We said that this would go to 80 minutes and it quite literally went to the last scrum. After the week that we have had we are really proud of the squad effort.”

Munster trailed by five late on but backed themselves to go the corner and were rewarded when captain CJ Stander scored from close range for what proved the winning try.

“You have to learn lessons from the past. We looked at the last Edinburgh v Munster games. All credit to the coaching staff and the players. We kept our heads. It was a phenomenal kick to the corner and then we got in front. We exited and defended well and ultimately won the game.”

Edinburgh pipped Munster to top spot in Conference B last year courtesy of a 16-18 win in Cork last November and van Graan was clearly conscious of the importance of not losing to them at home again.

“We spoke about it as a squad. You have to take your opportunities, especially at home. We know that Edinburgh will be right there at the end of the season. Last season we finished on top of the lot with them but we ended up losing out due to losing to them in Cork, so a great effort from the lads tonight.”

Young scrum-half Craig Casey was awarded the Man-of-the-Match award after another livewire display.

“It’s a great position to be in. Conor is world-class and he has been selected for the national team again. We said that we wanted competition in the squad and Craig is right up there now.

“He is going to the national squad to train for the week, so it is brilliant to have two quality players pushing for one position.

“We also have Nick McCarthy and Neil Cronin, who unfortunately got injured, but there is good competition for that number nine shirt.”