Munster showed their character in no uncertain terms on Sunday, just a very short week after the disappointment of San Sebastian, to claim a place in the Magners League semi-final despite a 13-12 defeat to Cardiff Blues at the City Stadium

The home side went into the game on foot of six successive wins, knowing that if they made it seven on the bounce and denied Munster a losing bonus they would go through to the semis to augment their success in reaching the Amlin Challenge Cup final.

And, unlike Munster, they were dealing from a full deck so fully deserved the favourite’s mantle.

They eventually managed the win thanks to a late 55 metre Leigh Halfpenny penalty but were unable to deny Munster advancing thanks to a whole-hearted team display orchestrated by out-half Man of the Match Ronan O’Gara who was aided and abetted by Peter Stringer, Jean de Villiers, Lifeimi Mafi, Billy Holland and Donncha O’Callaghan while rookie full back Scott Deasy showed commendable composure at full back.

That late penalty served up a very tense end game as the Blues came hunting for the converted try that would have seen them through. But it shouldn’t have come to that because Munster had what looked to be a certain try called back for a forward pass that clearly wasn’t.

It came mid way through the second half when O’Gara scythed through the Blues defence and popped an inside pass to de Villiers who set sail for the posts only to be halted by the shrill blast of Paul Allen’s whistle.

Ben Blair missed a couple of early penalties before finding the mark in the 13th minute for a three pointer almost immediately cancelled out by an O’Gara long ranger.

Munster were giving every bit as good as they were getting and found themselves in a perfect position with a five metre scrum under the posts. However, they coughed up ball in the subsequent pick n go and it ended with Jamie Roberts scoring at the far end despite the best efforts of Stringer and Nick Williams.

Blair added the extras and looked poised to take control but O’Gara continued in his rich vein from the kicking tee and three penalties later Munster went into the break, two points up.

The second half was a turgid affair, the best Blues chance coming when James Coughlan beat Daffyd Hewitt to the touchdown from a Martyn Williams kick-through. O’Gara was short with an effort from the half way line, spurned another opportunity at goals with a cross field kick that just missed it’s intended target but pulled all the right strings and put his body where most people wouldn’t dare.

In the end they were denied a victory by a well struck penalty but they can be more than contented with their day’swork, a fact acknowledged by coach Tony McGahan afterwards. "Our objective coming over here was to secure a place in the semi finals. We knew it wasn’t going to be easy. Knew we were going to have to work our socks off. We did that. Of course disappointed not to win but we got what we came for. I’d be very proud of the boys."

Munster: S Deasy; D Hurley, L Mafi, J de Villiers, T Gleeson; R O’Gara (capt), P Stringer; M Horan, D Varley, T Buckley; D O’Callaghan, B Holland; N Williams, N Ronan, D Wallace. Replacements : D Ryan for Williams (56 mins); P Warwick for Gleeson; J Coughlan for Wallace (61 both mins); T O’Leary for Stringer (64 mins); Williams for Buckley (65 mins); A Quinlan for Williams (69 mins); D Barnes for Hurley (78 mins). Sinbin : M Horan (Munster) 54 mins.

Cardiff Blues: B Blair; L Halfpenny, C Laulala, J Roberts, C Czekaj; C Sweeney, D Allinson; G Jenkins, T Rhys Thomas, S Andrews; D Jones, P Tito (capt); M Molitika, M Williams, X Rush. Replacements : D Hewitt for Czekaj (26 mins); G Williams for Thomas (54 mins); B Davies for Tito (54 mins); L Williams for Allinson (61 mins); J Yapp for Andrews (71 mins).

Referee: P Allan (Scotland)