Munster got their Magners League capaign back on track with a two try to nil 25-21 victory over Ospreys in the Liberty Stadium and in the process reclaimed their place at the top of the table
They held a slender 11-9 half time lead thanks to a 4th minute Lifeimi Mafi try and two penalties from Paul Warwick. However they lost Warwick to injury but Conan Doyle proved an able replacement landing two second half penalties.
The home side went into the lead with enalties from James Hook in the 46th and 48th minutes but Doyle was on the mark with his first effort in the 51st and then swopped succesful efforts with Hook that saw Munster trail by a point 18-17, with 20 minutes to go. At this stage Munster were down to 14 after Ian Dowling had been harshly yellow carded, but then Man of the Match Tomas O’Leary struck for the decisive try to push Munster five points clear.
Hook reduced the defecit with a penalty and then Tony McGahan produced his master stroke, bringing on Peter Stringer for Doyle, moving O’Leary to out-half and the former Cork hurler nailed a penalty from 40 metres to ensure victory for his side.
Munster: D Hurley; D Howlett, B Murphy, L Mafi, I Dowling; P Warwick (C Doyle 35 min) ( P Stringer 71 min), T O’Leary; F Pucciariello, J Flannery, J Hayes (T Ryan temp); D O’Callaghan, P O’Connell (capt); A Quinlan (M O’Driscoll 59 min), D Wallace, D Leamy J O’Sullivan 57 min), . Replacements not used: D Fogarty, T Gleeson.
Ospreys: L Byrne; J Vaughton, S Parker, A Bishop, S Williams; J Hook, M Phillips; P James (capt), R Hibbard, C Griffiths; A-Wyn Jones, J Thomas; T Smith, S Tandy, F Tiatia. Replacements: H Bennett, R Bevington, L Bateman, M Holah, R Webb, D Biggar, K Phillips.
Referee: Andy Macpherson (Scotland).