14-man Munster just about held on on Saturday, as they ran out victorious on a historic day against Connacht in Castlebar.
MacHale Park, the home of Mayo GAA, opened its gates to rugby for the first time in its 95-year history, hosting a massive URC derby that saw both sides welcome their Ireland contingent back into the fray.
Munster took control of the game in the first half, but their momentum was stilted when Alex Nankivell was sent off shortly before half-time for a dangerous hit on Connacht's Cian Prendergast, who was forced off injured.
Nonetheless, tries from Tom Ahern and Craig Casey had Munster ahead at the break. With Munster down to 14, however, Caolin Blade's try early in the second half may have had nerves high in the visitors' camp.
Ultimately, Munster held firm in the face of a late Connacht fightback, thanks in no small part to the excellence of Casey and Jack Crowley at half-back.
The latter picked up the man-of-the-match award, and Simon Zebo would praise the pair post-match, suggesting that the returning Casey was immediately back in Lions contention after his exploits in Castlebar.
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Simon Zebo thinks Craig Casey in Lions contention after display in Castlebar
Craig Casey was thrown in at the deep end by Munster on his return from injury, named to start for a massive URC clash at MacHale Park.
The 25-year-old had been sidelined since undergoing knee surgery in December, but returned ahead of schedule and was superb as Munster ran out victorious against their provincial neighbours.
His half-back partner Jack Crowley was also in excellent form, taking the man-of-the-match award at full-time.
Speaking on Premier Sports after the game, Munster icon Simon Zebo lavished Crowley with praise for his excellence in dictating the play on Saturday. He also suggested that the return of Casey alongside him had made Crowley's job even easier.
You could tell straight from the get-go that [Crowley] was in one of those moods.
You compliment him with Craig Casey at 9, [when] that's the quality of pass he's receiving, Jack was always going to have a great game.
From a physicality side of things, he was unbelievable, sticking so many tackles. Connacht went after him several times and he stood up each and every time.
On the flip side, his game management, the variety between kicking in the air to contest versus kicking on the ground, to trying to fish out [Connacht fly-half Josh] Ioane.
I thought the variety was unbelievable, accuracy of kick and pass.
Zebo was particularly impressed by the link-up of the Munster half-backs for Crowley's second-half try, which saw Casey find the 10 with a delightful skip pass.
In almost throwaway fashion, Zebo concluded by suggesting that Crowley's teammate Casey was immediately back in contention for Lions selection, despite his lengthy spell on the sidelines.
His combination with Craig paid off and, in the end, Craig gave him a beautiful assist.
These are the things you need to do while you're playing away, putting the pressure on.
Craig here, this is the pass of the match. This is frightening ability.
Craig, for me, that performance, he's probably in with a shot of going with the Lions to Australia. He's been world class today.
Both the half-backs were outstanding today. Without them, Connacht may well have pinched that away from Munster.
Craig Casey was certainly immense in Munster's victory on Saturday but he would be nothing short of a bolter were he to travel to Australia this summer, especially after his lengthy layoff.
Time will tell if Casey becomes a Lion but, for now, Munster fans will simply be delighted to have the scrum-half back in action.
Munster are next in action in next weekend's mouth-watering Champions Cup last-16 tie against Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle.
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