Munster wrapped up this block of games with a valuable win when they came from behind in the closing minutes to secure a 28-24 victory at the Arms Park today.
Cardiff seemed poised for their second win of the campaign when they went in front in the final quarter when man of the match number 8 Manos Vosawai got their second try.
But Munster, in typical fashion, finished strongly and Paddy Butler put the province back in front three minutes from time at the end of an eight-phase move which was kick-started by a storming Gerhard van den Heever break.
The try put Munster two points in front and replacement out-half Johnny Holland steered the tricky conversion in the blustery wind just inside the posts to leave Cardiff needing a try to win the game.
However, Munster held on in the closing moments to secure victory with a side which showed eleven changes from that which started against Saracens.
The foundation for the win came with the flawless kicking of JJ Hanrahan, who scored all seven penalties on an evening when the wind fluctuated throughout.
Hanrahan hit six of those kicks in the opening half to give Munster an 18-14 lead.
Fullback Rhys Patchell scored three penalties for the Blues with winger Lucas Amorosino getting the opening try of the match after 33 minutes.
Patchell was unable to land the conversion which left a point between the sides, and Hanrahan pushed this out to four with another penalty.
Cardiff enjoyed enormous possession in the second-half but the Munster defence was top class and Anthony Foley’s men struck a telling blow when they defended and then crucially turned over a number of Cardiff scrums five metres out.
Cardiff got in front in the final quarter but it was Munster who finished strongly to secure the points away.
Munster: J Murphy; A Conway (R O’Mahony 60), A Smith, R Scannell, G van den Heever; JJ Hanrahan (J Holland 74), D Williams (C Sheridan 60); J Ryan, K O’Byrne (E Guinazu 52), BJ Botha (S Archer 65); D O’Callaghan, B Holland; CJ Stander, P Butler, R Copeland.
Referee: M Mitrea (Italy).