Munster put in a superb performance on a windy October evening in Dublin to secure a 14-31 bonus-point win over Leinster at Croke Park.

First half tries from Brian Gleeson, Tom Farrell and Ethan Coughlan which were all converted by Jack Crowley set Munster on their way to a famous win.

However, it was the determined, belligerent defensive effort throughout the 80 minutes, but particularly in the second half which kept Leinster at bay before a penalty try secured the full complement of five points.

Leinster applied some early pressure with a dangerous break from Jordan Larmour only for Edwin Edogbo to win a brilliant turnover at the breakdown.

Leinster continued to build pressure, however, and a second penalty concession at the scrum saw Sam Prendergast kick to the corner. From the resulting maul, Leinster were too strong as Ronan Kelleher crashed over for the game’s opening try.

Munster nearly got back into the game when a chip over the top from Andrew Smith put Jamison Gibson Park into a spot of bother only for the Ireland scrum half to kick clear with Munster winning a lineout just five metres from the Leinster line. Unfortunately, in the process of chasing his chip, Smith pulled up with a leg injury and was replaced by Alex Nankivell who played the remainder of the game on the wing.

Munster did go through the phases from the lineout but a pass from Ethan Coughlan to Edwin Edogbo was spilled forward and the chance was gone.

Munster began to utilise cross field kicks to a lot of success and ultimately it was from this pressure that resulted in the visitor’s first try. A number of penalty concessions from Leinster saw Munster opt for a 5m tap and from the second phase, Brian Gleeson powered over a try. Crowley notched the conversion to level the game.

Munster starting to get some joy at the breakdown and this time it was Jack O’Donoghue who jackaled over the ball to win a penalty in midfield which Crowley kicked into the Leinster 22.

From this passage of play, Munster showed some silky hands as Thaakir Abrahams received the ball in space but was stopped just short of the line by James Lowe. Munster did, however, take the lead a few minutes later when a Crowley chip over the top was brilliantly collected in the air by Tom Farrell. Munster’s Player of the Year from last season sprinted through to dot down under the posts. Crowley converted to put Munster into a 7-14 lead.

Munster went further ahead approaching half-time when Ethan Coughlan superbly picked off a Leinster pass when the home side were attacking dangerously. The Ennis RFC man ran the length of the Croke Park turf to score under the posts. Crowley converted to give Munster a 7-21 half-time lead.

Leinster came out firing in the second half, as expected, but Munster held firm in the opening 10 minutes. Some brilliant tackling forced Leinster to kick while Gavin Coombes and Lee Barron came up with a brilliant turnover in the tackle on Tadhg Furlong as Leinster were building phases in midfield.

Eight minutes into the second half, Munster had a chance to extend their lead with a long-range penalty attempt and Crowley obliged with a brilliant kick to put Munster 7-24 in front.

Approaching the midway point of the second half, Leinster came close to scoring twice only for some dogged Munster defence. First Josh van der Flier was held up over the line by Crowley and then Tadhg Beirne brilliantly defended a maul to relieve more pressure. Moments later, Coughlan went for another intercept only to agonisingly drop the ball. From the resulting scrum, Munster managed to win a turnover and clear their lines once again.

Minutes later, Leinster must have reached 25+ phases but Munster kept their discipline and defended bravely on their own line until Beirne came up with a trademark breakdown turnover as the Fields of Athenry rang around Croke Park.

Entering the final 10 minutes, Munster kept pinging back Leinster into their own half thanks so some excellent kicking out of hand from Crowley.

Despite the clock going against the home side, Munster kept defending as if their lives depended on it and it was from this defensive pressure which gave Clayton McMillan’s side more possession and field position which resulted in a penalty try for Munster as Farrell effort at grounding the ball in the corner was illegally stopped by Ciaran Frawley

Leinster did get a consolation score through Scott Penny but it was too little too late as Munster celebrated a famous bonus-point win on the road.

BKT URC Round 4 Round-Up

Jack Crowley was awarded the BKT Player of the Match.

Munster are now joint-first in the table with the Stormers.

Munster take on Connacht next Saturday in Thomond Park. Get your tickets here. 

Munster Rugby: Shane Daly; Andrew Smith (Nankivell 10′), Tom Farrell, Dan Kelly, Thaakir Abrahams; Jack Crowley, Ethan Coughlan (Patterson 57′ Hanrahan 77′)); Michael Milne (Loughman 53′), Diarmuid Barron (L Barron 40′), John Ryan (Foxe 63′); Edwin Edogbo (Kleyn 40′), Fineen Wycherley; Tadhg Beirne (C) (HIA Ryan 65′), Jack O’Donoghue, Brian Gleeson (Coombes 36′).

Replacements: Lee Barron, Jeremy Loughman, Ronan Foxe, Jean Kleyn, Gavin Coombes, Paddy Patterson, JJ Hanrahan, Alex Nankivell.

Tickets

Saturday, October 25

URC Round 5: Munster Rugby v Connacht, Thomond Park, 7.45pm; Buy tickets here

Saturday, November 1

Munster Rugby v Argentina XV, Thomond Park, 5pm; Buy tickets here

Saturday, November 29

URC Round 6: Munster Rugby v DHL Stormers, Thomond Park, 5.30pm; Buy tickets here

Saturday, December 13

Champions Cup Round 2: Munster Rugby v Gloucester Rugby, SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 5.30pm; Buy tickets here

Saturday, December 27

URC Round 7: Munster Rugby v Leinster Rugby, Thomond Park, 7.45pm; Buy tickets here

Saturday, January 17

Champions Cup Round 4: Munster Rugby v Castres Olympique, Thomond Park, 5.30pm; Buy tickets here

Friday, January 23

URC Round 10: Munster Rugby v Dragons RFC, Virgin Media Park, 7.45pm; Buy tickets here

Saturday, February 28

URC Round 12: Munster Rugby v Zebre Rugby, Thomond Park, 5.30pm; Buy tickets here

Saturday, April 25

URC Round 16: Munster Rugby v Ulster Rugby, Thomond Park, 5.30pm; Buy tickets here

Saturday, May 16

URC Round 18: Munster Rugby v Emirates Lions, Thomond Park, 7.45pm; Buy tickets here