It was an outcome that didn't look likely after an early second half  Topsy Ojo try had stretched the Irish lead to 20-6 but to their great credit Munster then dominated the second half and after Ronan O'Gara had added two penalties, they somehow found the reserves to launch a final effort that yielded it's reward.

Ryan Lamb kicked four first half penalties and a drop goal to give his side a 15-6 interval lead. They looked to have killed off the Munster challenge with that Ojo try but inspired by the arrival off the bench of David Wallace Munster hung in there.

Only superb defence kept them out at the end of the closing quarter when first Tony Buckley and then Denis Leamy were denied.  Delon Armitage had extended the Irish lead with a penalty from just inside his own half and then when his next effort fell short Munster countered to snatch the late try.