Ian Costello’s B&I Cup side recorded a 19-11 victory in Tralee RFC today against Welsh side Aberavon RFC.

Early indications would lead supporters to believe they were in store for a great afternoon of running rugby with Munster applying the pressure and making the yards, spending the opening 10 minutes attacking inside the Aberavon 22.

Cian Bohane was first up crashing through the Aberavon defence bringing play in front of the posts with Tommy O'Donnell continuing the attack before the final pass didn't come off to Corey Hircock.

But Munster went again and this time with the focus on the breakdown from both sides Scott Deasy chanced a cross-field kick to Bohane who went wide into the left hand pocket, only to be closely denied by the as equally tall Aberavon number 14 Richard Thomas.

For all the pressure and possession Munster held it was Aberavon who finished the opening quarter with a try after a quick turnover ball on the halfway mark was moved to the wing sending Thomas over for the opening score.

Scott missed an opening penalty chance and it was reflective of a frustrating stop start period for Munster where they caused their own problems with knock-ons and handling errors. Any positive play resulted in a turnover of possession until the half hour mark when Dave Foley charged down an Aberavon kick inside their 22 and the turnover gave Munster the space and numbers to run it wide with Tralee local Danny Barnes setting Corey Hircock up for the try. Deasy kicked the extras to give Munster a 2 point margin.

Tommy O'Donnell's experience at the breakdown and work-rate in defence was evident as he thwarted a number of Aberavon attacks before Jamie Davies added a penalty just before the break resulting from a Dave Foley infringement in the lineout, and the Welsh side went in one point ahead, Munster 7 Aberavon 8.

Davies was on hand again on the return with his second penalty but it was to be the last score of the afternoon for the visitors as Munster responded with two tries and a conversion.

Costello's young charges moved ahead after 54" thanks to a Ronan O'Mahony try under the posts, taking the pass off Cian Bohane who broke the Aberavon defence. Deasy added the conversion.

Ten minutes later Barry O'Mahony completed the sibling act with a try of his own to give Munster a score-line of 19-11.

The Munster bench was cleared with all replacements in action at this stage and the fresh legs certainly gave Munster a new lease of life going into the closing minutes. Munster bombarded the Aberavon line time and time again looking for the illusive bonus point winning try.

As the clock ticked into extra time there was certainly a sense they were going to produce the goods but after a number of phases and an eventual knock on it was not to be.

Afterwards B&I Cup Head Coach Ian Costello commented "I thought Tommy O'Donnell and Cian Bohane really stood out for us today. And Barry O'Mahony certainly did in the second half. They (Aberavon) were a very physical side and went out with a clever game plan, slowing our ball time and time again."

"We struggled with continuity, the stop/start nature didn't suit us but we were much better in the second half. Yes we're happy with the win but overall frustrated with not getting the bonus try especially after getting so many penalties and 5 metre scrums."

"Look, next up we have Rotherham Titans back to back in December so we have the time to re-group and look at the mistakes and the positives, and that's what we'll do."

Referee: Andrew Jackson

Munster: Johnny Holland; Ronan O'Mahony, Danny Barnes, Cian Bohane, Corey Hircock (Ivan Dineen 62), Scott Deasy (Richie Mullane 68), Peter Stringer (Cathal Sheridan 60); Alan Cotter (Christy Condon 53), Sean Henry Capt. (Duncan Casey 60) John Ryan, Ian Nagle, Dave Foley (Brian Hayes 60), Dave O'Callaghan (Shane Buckley 62), Barry O'Mahony, Tommy O'Donnell.

Aberavon: John Philips; Richard Thomas, Ben John, Will Price, Stefan Andrews; Jamie Davies, Joe Heatley; Rowan Jenkins, Ieuan Davis, Chris John; Rhydian Gieran, Gavin Ronan; Ben Thomas, Joe Tomalin Reeves, Morgan Allen. Replacements: Mathew Jenkins, Craig Evans, Neil White, Gareth Harvey, Darryl Thomas, Hywel Davies, Lee Purnell.