Munster 33

Ospreys 0

Declan Rooney reports from Irish Independent Park

MUNSTER MOVE CLEAR at the top of the Pro12 standings – for tonight at least – after Dave Kilcoyne inspired them to a bonus point win over Ospreys at Musgrave Park.

Kilcoyne bagged a try in each half and was also heavily involved in the loose as Munster devoured Ospreys and kept them scoreless – the first time they have failed to score since 2008.

Kilcoyne starred with two of Munster's four tries. Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

Darren Sweetnam also scored in the first-half for Munster, while Ronan O’Mahony capped off an impressive display with his side’s third, while Robin Copeland also got in on the act with Munster firth try in his first start of the season.

The win was built on Munster dominance in the lineout though, and considering that Osprey failed to secure possession on their first four throws, they were always going to struggle early on. Skipper Peter O’Mahony was central to Munster’s dominance in that area and his side’s first two tries stemmed from lost Ospreys throws.

Nine minutes in Niall Scannell gathered the ball from Sam Parry’s throw, before Kilcoyne got over after Ronan O’Mahony went close.

Five minutes later Sweetnam benefited from another poor throw from Ospreys to score Munster second, while a pair of conversions from Tyler Belyendaal meant Munster led 14-0 at the interval.

Ospreys ddi show some positive intentions at the start of the second-half, but agains they failed to retain possession when the Munster line approached, and a poor pass from Josh Matavesi to Keelan Giles allowed Ronan O’Mahony to steal in for his side’s third try after 54 minutes.

The question then was how long would the 8,008 Munster supporters have to wait before the bonus point arrived, and it finally arrived in the 70th minute when Kilcoyne charged over form close range.

The prop was awarded the man-of-the-match award. Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

And to cap off a fine performance Copland also bagged his first try of the season a few minutes form time as Munster ran out comprehensive winners -their first home win over Ospreys in three attempts.

Munster scorers:

Tries: D Kilcoyne x2, D Sweetnam, R O’Mahony, R Copeland 

Conversions: T Bleyendaal x4

MUNSTER: A Conway; D Sweetnam, J Taute (I Keatley 33), R Scannell, R O’Mahony (A Wootton 70); T Bleyendaal, D Williams (A Griesel 75); D Kilcoyne (P McCabe 72), N Scannell (R Marshall 66), S Archer (B Scott 70); D O’Shea, R Copeland; P O’Mahony (J Madigan 72), T O’Donnell (C Oliver 63), J O’Donoghue.

OSPREYS: D Evans (D Howells 33-ht); K Giles, B John (D Howells 63), A Beck (J Spratt 57), E Walker; J Matavesi, T Habberfield (B Leonard 59-66, 75); P James (G Thomas 55), S Parry (H Gustafson 71), D Arhip (M Fia 46); L Ashley, A Beard (R Jones 75); R McCusker, O Cracknell, J Bearman (S Otten 63).

Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR).

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