Munster claimed a 23-0 victory over the Ospreys on a rainy night in Cork to bounce back from their surprise defeat to Zebre last week. McCarthy crossed the line after 11 seconds to get his side to a flying start. Further tries from Loughman, Nash, and O’Donoghue helped Munster to a bonus point win.
By Etienne Turpin
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The weather in Cork on Friday night was quite simply horrible with heavy rain and wind affecting both teams.
Munster got off to an astonishing start on a rainy night in Limerick after Owen Watkin fumbled the kick off which landed directly in Shay McCarthy’s hands to score the opening try after only 11 seconds. Despite his best attempts, Crowley’s conversion went wide because of the wind.
Referee Mike Adamson got caught in the action after seven minutes when he was caught in the way and got sent tumbling to the ground.
Jack Crowley extended Munster’s lead with a penalty from in front. With the wind causing havoc, the young 10 expertly slotted his kick between the posts. But Munster were plagued with big injuries in the first half as both Oli Jager and Peter O’Mahony were forced off in the opening 20 minutes.
Munster’s second try came after 25 minutes following a driving maul. Munster kicked to the corner knowing a kick for goal in these conditions would be tough and despite losing two important players, they powered their way over to grow the lead to 13-points. The sideline conversion was once again unsuccessful, but Munster suddenly had a big lead over the Ospreys.
Munster were much more comfortable with the conditions than the Ospreys and used the wind to their advantage as they would force the Ospreys back with clever kicks.
And Munster would go and get their third try on the stroke of half time through Ireland international, Calvin Nash. Munster were patiently going through the phases and despite defiant defending on the Ospreys line, the home side eventually created space out wide and Casey found his winger with a lovely pass to score in the corner to give Munster an 18-point lead at the break.
Dan Edwards carried on his excellent form by finding a lovely 50-22 which gave the Ospreys great attacking territory. Munster made a mess of the lineout, but the Ospreys managed to regather the ball. Unfortunately, nothing came of it and Munster won a penalty at the ruck.
Munster were giving away a few penalties in the second half, but the Ospreys were unable to crack past the Munster defence and wasted a couple of key chances to reduce the scores. The wind was now pinging Munster in their own half, however.
After scoreless 20 minutes, Munster went over for their 4th try giving them a bonus point through Jack O’Donoghue after a strong carry in midfield from winger McCarthy.
With minutes remaining, Munster went down to 14 men after Archer was sin binned for multiple penalties close to the Ospreys line and despite the numerical advantage, the Ospreys were still unable to get their first points of the game.
And when 80 minutes were up, Conor Murray kicked the ball into touch to give Munster a clean sheet bonus point victory over the Ospreys.
Munster: 23
TRIES: 4 (McCarthy 1’, Loughman 27’, Nash 40’, O’Donoghue 64’)
CONVERSIONS:
PENALTIES: 1 (Crowley 10’)
DROP GOALS:
YELLOW CARDS: 1 (Archer 76’)
RED CARDS: 0
15. Mike Haley, 14. Calvin Nash, 13. Tom Farrell, 12. Bryan Fitzgerald, 11. Shay McCarthy, 10. Jack Crowley, 9. Craig Casey, 1. Jeremy Loughman, 2. Niall Scannell, 3. Oli Jager, 4. Jean Kleyn, 5. Tadhg Beirne, 6. Peter O’Mahony, 7. John Hodnett, 8. Jack O’Donoghue.
16. Diarmuid Barron, 17. John Ryan, 18. Stephen Archer, 19. Fineen Wycherley, 20. Gavin Coombes, 21. Conor Murray, 22. Tony Butler, 23. Jack Daly.
Ospreys: 0
TRIES:
CONVERSIONS:
PENALTIES:
DROP GOALS:
YELLOW CARDS: 0
RED CARDS: 0
15. Max Nagy, 14. Iestyn Hopkins, 13. Owen Watkin, 12. Phil Cokanasiga, 11. Ryan Conbeer, 10. Dan Edwards, 9. Reuben Morgan-Williams, 1. Steffan Thomas, 2. Dewi Lake, 3. Ben Warren, 4. Huw Sutton, 5. Adam Beard, 6. James Ratti, 7. Jac Morgan, 8. Morgan Morris.
16. Sam Parry, 17. Garyn Phillips, 18. Math Iorwerth-Scott, 19. Lewis Jones, 20. Harri Deaves, 21. Luke Davies, 22. Jack Walsh, 23. Kieran Williams.
Five Talking Points
- Munster score one of the fastest tries of all time.
Shay McCarthy needed only eleven seconds to get the first try of the game. Terrible conditions gave Owen Watkin all sorts of problems and the Ospreys centre fumbled the ball directly into the Muensterman’s hands.
- Injury worries for Munster.
First half injuries to Peter O’Mahony and Oli Jager could be a concern for Munster. Multiple injuries in the first half of last season were costly for them and they will be hoping that today’s injuries won’t be too serious.
- Munster get bonus point despite conditions.
Despite horrendous conditions, Munster got the job done over the Ospreys and claimed an important bonus point victory. The artificial pitch in Cork meant that the pitch did not turn into a bog allowing rugby to be played.
- Ospreys kept scoreless.
The weather made it difficult for fluid rugby to be played and with Munster having the wind on their side in the first half, it meant the Ospreys spent the second half chasing the game and were unable to crack through the Munster defence despite a late sin binning.
- Munster bounce back following surprise Zebre loss.
Munster were shocked as they conceded 40 points to Zebre in Parma last week in a surprise defeat so head coach Graham Rowntree will be delighted with the way his side bounced back to keep the Ospreys scoreless.