It wasn't to be for Munster as Leinster came back from a 5-13 Munster lead to emerge 24-18 victors at the Aviva Stadium.
A positive start for Munster with plenty of play in the Leinster half which eventually led to a penalty concession from the hosts and Charlie O'Shea stepped up to give Munster a 0-3 lead after 7 minutes played.
At the midway point of the first half it remained 0-3 in Munster's favour. Some excellent defensive sets combined with key turnovers from the likes Alex Kendellen, Shane Daly and Josh Wycherley relieved pressure at crucial times.
This trend continued, with 25 minutes on the clock and with Munster playing into a strong first half wind, Leinster were dangerously going through the phases in the visitors' 22. However, Gavin Coombes was next man up to win a brilliant turnover at the breakdown to relieve the pressure.
Munster went further ahead just two minutes later when Shane Daly got the first try of the game. He started the move by tackling Tommy O'Brien into touch and then off the resulting lineout, Munster struck. Seán O'Brien broke free and played the ball to Craig Casey who put in an inside pass to Daly who had enough pace to get to the line to score. O'Shea converted to give Munster a 0-10 lead.
Munster then went 0-13 in front when O'Shea landed a penalty from about 52m out.
As they so often do, Leinster hit back before half-time. Leinster were awarded a 5m scrum when referee Andrew Brace got caught up in the play. From the scrum, Jamison Gibson Park floated a pass out to O'Brien and the Leinster winger beat the tackle attempt of Ben O'Connor to score. Joey Carbery's conversion was wide.
Leinster looked to reduce the deficit further as half-time edged ever closer but more excellent Munster defensive which included a big hit from Gordon Wood, forced a turnover as Munster went into the shed 5-13 in front.
Munster continued to show resiliene in defence at the beginning of the second half. A dangerous snipe from the base of the ruck from Gibson Park was snuffed out by Coombes. The big Skibbereen man held up the scrum-half to win a turnover.
After 55 minutes, Leinster reduced Munster's lead to one point. Ryan Baird crashed over from close range after a series of scrums under the post. Alex Nankivell gave away a penalty in the lead up to the try and with a run of penalty concessions in the previous few minutes, Brace sent Nankivell to the bin. Carbery landed the conversion.
At 60 minutes, Leinster were looking dangerous once again but captain Tadhg Beirne came up with an excellent turnover at the breakdown to get Munster out of a hole.
Unfortunately for Munster, just three minutes later Charlie Tector when through a gap to score with Carbery's conversion coming back off the post.
Munster suffered a blow when Shane Daly was removed from the field of play on a stretcher. Everyone at Munster Rugby wishes Shane a swift recovery.
Unfortunately for Munster, Jamie Osborne went over for another try which sealed the win for Leinster. Carbery converted to put the scoreline out to 24-13 to the men in blue.
However, true to the spirit of this team, Munster kept fighting and brilliant backline move saw Ben O'Connor go over in the corner to clinch a deserved losing bonus point.
Munster Rugby: Ben O’Connor; Shay McCarthy, Seán O’Brien (Wood 39' HIA), Alex Nankivell, Shane Daly; Charlie O’Shea (Hanrahan 65'), Craig Casey (O'Donovan 65'); Josh Wycherley (Donnelly 56'), Marnus van der Merwe, Kieran Brookes (Ala'alatoa 60'); Fineen Wycherley, Tadhg Beirne (C); Jack O’Donoghue, Alex Kendellen (Edogbo 58'), Gavin Coombes (Gleeson 58').
Replacements: Max Clein, Mark Donnelly, Michael Ala’alatoa, Seán Edogbo, Brian Gleeson, Ben O’Donovan, JJ Hanrahan, Gordon Wood.