Munster recorded a 33-16 victory over Cardiff Blues tonight in the newly redeveloped Irish Independent Park, running in three second-half tries.
With Ian Keatley and Andrew Conway ruled out due to illness Rory Scannell was promoted to starting outhalf and Luke O’Dea came straight in to the side, starting on the wing.
It was Scannell’s second PRO12 appearance and first time starting at 10, while O’Dea last played PRO12 rugby against Edinburgh in May 2014 due to a string of injuries.
Academy back Darren Sweetnam was brought into the replacements for his first PRO12 squad inclusion, going on to make his debut.
Munster opened the scoring following a second penalty chance successfully kicked by JJ Hanrahan after 10 minutes. The first effort struck the post and Ronan O’Mahony was quick to secure the rebounding ball, with the support securing a penalty at the next breakdown.
Minutes later Cardiff were on the attack inside Munster’s 22 and won a penalty after the men in red were pinged for not releasing. Rhys Patchell duly kicked his side’s first points, and the outhalf was on target again after 17 minutes when Munster coughed up a further penalty for the same offence.
The visitors continued to capitalise on Munster’s indiscipline when securing a third penalty from a lineout infringement on the half hour mark. Patchell made it three from three before fullback and man of the match JJ Hanrahan responded for the home-side. He kicked the sides level before the break with two successive penalties.
Munster returned with a new sense of purpose, and a quick lineout ball ended with academy number 8 Jack O’Donoghue bulldozing his way through the Cardiff defence. Ronan O’Mahony and JJ Hanrahan both played their parts in edging towards the line before captain Denis Hurley burrowed his way over for the first try, and JJ added the extras to extend the lead.
The next try came off the back of a turnover ball won by Rory Scannell inside the Munster 22. Centres Denis Hurley and Keith Earls were released into open space, with the latter sprinting and spinning his way around the Cardiff defence. A quick recycled ball ended with Jack O’Donoghue running in his first PRO12 try, and with JJ kicking the conversion, Munster led 23-9.
Cardiff reduced the margin after a Josh Navidi try on 70 minutes and with Patchell once again on target with, the visitors moved within 7 points going into the final 10 minutes.
But Hanrahan's fourth penalty and a last-minute try deservedly scored by Ronan O'Mahony saw Munster finish on a high as they moved to the top of the Guinness PRO12 table in front of their home support in Cork.
Munster: JJ Hanrahan; Luke O’Dea (Darren Sweetnam 66), Keith Earls (Ivan Dineen 63), Denis Hurley Capt., Ronan O'Mahony; Rory Scannell, Duncan Williams (Neil Cronin 77); John Ryan (Dave Kilcoyne 49), Eusebio Guinazu (Niall Scannell 70), BJ Botha (Stephen Archer 65); Donncha O'Callaghan, Billy Holland; Sean Dougall (Paddy Butler 63), Dave O'Callaghan (Shane Buckley 77), Jack O'Donoghue.