Despite the storm Munster claimed all five points in Cork
Munster 23
Ospreys 0
Munster are back to winning ways after a stellar 23-0 victory over the Ospreys on a wet and windy night in Virgin Media Park in Cork.
Player of the Match Craig Casey led the way as Munster played out a near perfect performance given the conditions. Shay McCarthy, Tom Farrell, Calvin Nash and Jack O’Donoghue all dotted down as Graham Rowntree’s team banished memories of last weekend’s loss in Italy.
The home side made a dream start to the game as Shay McCarthy opened the scoring with the fastest ever try in league history after just 10 seconds. Jack Crowley’s long kick off was fumbled by Welsh centre Owen Watkin, and Limerick man McCarthy was on hand to pounce. Crowley’s conversion snapped wide with the wind, but Graham Rowntree’s men were off to a flyer.
The home side were back on the score sheet not long after following a Jack Crowley penalty. The Ireland out-half navigated a tricky right to left cross breeze to push the lead out to eight, following a breakdown infringement from new Ospreys centre Phil Cokanasiga.
The wet night was bound to cause a few casualties, with Oli Jager’s early withdrawal a big blow for Munster. This followed his opposite number Tom Botha taken out of the team just prior to kick-off. Peter O’Mahony was next to depart with a blow to the leg after just 22 minutes, while Mike Haley hobbled off towards the end.
Just a few minutes after O’Mahony made way, Munster struck again. Jack Crowley turned down the shot at three points, instead electing for the corner; and new signing Tom Farrell touched down for his 1st Munster try, from the back of a dangerous rolling maul. Crowley failed to add the extras, but they had a thirteen-point cushion approaching the half hour mark.
Munster got their third try of the night right before half time through Ireland winger Calvin Nash. After a period of sustained pressure close to the Ospreys line, the in-form Craig Casey threw a precise skip pass to his fellow Limerick man Nash, and Munster took an 18-0 lead into the interval.
It was a near perfect half from the hosts, managing the tough conditions with accuracy and sharp game management. The Ospreys could barely fire a shot, despite an even split in the possession stats. If they were to turn the tide, they needed a big second forty, and the howling wind to play its part.
However, the second half was a continuation of the first, with the adverse conditions and rolling replacements scuppering any chance of a comeback. The third quarter was a scoreless affair, with Munster surviving onslaught after onslaught from the Ospreys.
When that score did come however, it was Munster’s crucial bonus point try. Academy winger Shay McCarthy was once again involved, this time his line break cut the Ospreys defence open, and he offloaded to Jack O’Donoghue for the crucial five pointer.
Stephen Archer was sent to the sin bin three minutes from time after a plethora of penalty concessions, but Munster’s defensive line never wavered, to see out the victory, by 23 points to nil.
Rowntree was delighted post-game with the team’s physicality and accuracy, as well as with the performances of the younger players, while captain Tadhg Beirne relayed a sense of pride in keeping the Ospreys scoreless, a big relief for Munster after the concession of 75 points across the opening two games.
The win moves Munster up to third in the league table, ahead of a heavyweight matchup in Croke Park against old rivals and league leaders Leinster next weekend.
MUNSTER: Mike Haley (Tony Butler, 70’), Calvin Nash (Jack Daly, 71’), Tom Farrell, Bryan Fitzgerald, Shay McCarthy; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey (Conor Murray, 55’); Jeremy Loughman (John Ryan, 64’), Niall Scannell (Diarmuid Barron, 55’), Oli Jager (Stephen Archer, 13’); Jean Kleyn (Fineen Wycherley, 63’), Tadhg Beirne (c); Peter O’Mahony (Gavin Coombes, 22’), John Hodnett (Jeremy Loughman, 79’), Jack O’Donoghue.
Tries: Shay McCarthy, Tom Farrell, Calvin Nash, Jack O’Donoghue.
Pens: Jack Crowley 1/1.
Cons: Jack Crowley 0/4.
OSPREYS: Max Nagy, Iestyn Hopkins, Owen Watkin (Kieran Williams, 67’), Phil Cokanasiga, Ryan Conbeer; Dan Edwards, Reuben Morgan-Williams (Luke Davies, 67’); Steffan Thomas (Garyn Phillips, 57’), Dewi Lake (Sam Parry, 57’), Ben Warren (Math Iorwerth-Scott, 57’); Huw Sutton, Adam Beard (Lewis Jones, 67’); James Ratti, Jac Morgan (c), Morgan Morris (Harri Deaves, 57’).
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)