Graham Rowntree blamed Munster's failure to push on when they were ahead as they suffered a 20-11 defeat to Connacht.
The Munster head coach was speaking as his side's early season struggles continued, with two losses in their opening four games.
Despite the likes of Conor Murray, Joey Carbery and Gavin Coombes returning, Munster created very little and made mistakes at key moments to give Connacht their first win of the season.
Speaking to TG4, Rowntree didn't hold back in his assessment of the side in their performance.
#CONvMUN
@connachtrugby (20)@Munsterrugby (11)
Bainisteoir na Mumhan Graham Rowntree
Munster Coach Graham Rowntree@IrishRugby @URCOfficial#URC #Rugby pic.twitter.com/HPDA9toHXC— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) October 7, 2022
"At 11-5, we didn't really push on. We failed to look after the ball again in their end of the field. Kept going into the 22, good opportunity there but just couldn't hold on to the ball.
"The last 15 minutes was just littered with ill discipline from us, it's got to better. Breakdown, maul penalties, backing up penalty on penalty, we just got to be better.
"I can't fault our effort, but when we have the ball inside their 22 we need to keep hold of it, and we just got to be better disciplined."
In Connacht’s first attack in the 22, a wonderful wide pass from Jack Carty found Mack Hansen who scored their first try on the new Sportsground pitch to give them a 5-0 lead.
Just Jack Carty doing what Jack Carty does 😎#BKTURC #URC | #CONvMUN @ConnachtRugby pic.twitter.com/33Hx68Wyo2
— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) October 7, 2022
Munster’s early struggles continued as they looked vulnerable defensively while they conceded three penalties from their own scrum
It took 20 minutes for their first and only try, with Patrick Campbell sliding in the corner after a strong maul giving Munster a share of the lead.
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In a physical encounter, Andy Friend’s side continued to get the better of Munster at the line out and scrum. However, strong work at the breakdown and a Ben Healy penalty gave them an 8-5 lead at the interval.
It looked like another one of those games for Connacht as they conceded unnecessary penalties and couldn't find that attacking spark.
However, after a huge 50:22 from Conor Fitzgerald, Connacht stormed towards the try line from their maul and Finlay Bealham crashed over after a lengthy TMO review to put Connacht one behind.
This gave Connacht a new lease of life with a penalty from Fitzgerald putting Connacht ahead with 20 minutes to go.
At vital moments in the final stages, Connacht couldn’t seal the game, while Peter O’Mahony’s injury will concern Munster ahead of a difficult run of games.
Connacht were in control in the final minutes and finally sealed the win when Paul Boyle went over after another strong maul, with Fitzgerald converting.
(77) nóim #CONvMUN
@connachtrugby (18)@Munsterrugby (11)
Úd don scoth ó Paul Boyle!
What a try from Paul Boyle!
@IrishRugby @URCOfficial#URC #Rugby pic.twitter.com/VMxf4I5ftX— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) October 7, 2022
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