Dave Kilcoyne scored a try-double as Munster sewed up a bonus-point victory with ruthless efficiency at the expense of Ospreys. Kilcoyne and Darren Sweetnam both dotted down within the first quarter of an hour as Munster, who have lost just twice on home soil since mid-January, gave Ospreys a mountain to climb. Having won several key turnovers that stopped the Welsh region from finding a way back into the game, an all-action Ronan O’Mahony crossed for Munster’s third in the second half before Kilcoyne wrapped up the five points in the 69th minute. The Cork crowd were treated to a Munster fifth three minutes from time through Robin Copeland. Sweetnam looked bright for the hosts as did Osprey Josh Matavesi – at No.10 with Dan Biggar and Sam Davies both involved for Wales this weekend – in the opening exchanges. But an old-fashioned pick-and-go brought up the first try of the night, as Kilcoyne converted huge Munster pressure after Ronan O’Mahony was stopped just short. Tyler Bleyendaal added the extras and within a few minutes Munster were within the Ospreys 22 again after Andrew Conway broke free. Munster then stole a lineout and though the lively Ronan O’Mahony was stopped inches from the line yet again, Sweetnam was the beneficiary in the corner – with Bleyendaal nailing a tough kick to put Munster up 14-0 to the good. After a disappointing first quarter, Ospreys won a penalty that set up a lineout deep into Munster territory and it took a superb turnover from Niall Scannell to prevent a score. Though the Welsh region were struggling to click offensively, they then showed tremendous fight to repel Munster after another long period of pressure. And it looked as if Ospreys would get on the scoreboard to round out the half, only for Munster to force another crucial turnover and go in at half-time with a 14-point lead. The visitors started the second half on a front foot though, aside from one 20 metre-break from teenager Keelan Giles, Munster remained impervious to attack. When Eli Walker did breach the red wall in the 50th minute, as so often on the night, Munster immediately won the ball back – before showing just how clinical they can be. Ronan O’Mahony pounced on an error from Matavesi and after kicking ahead, the wing got the try his play had deserved – though Bleyendaal’s conversion attempt shaved the post. As the game entered its final quarter, Jonathan Spratt and Giles combined to hand Ospreys a spark and Brendon Leonard eventually found his way over. But the former All Black was adjudged to have been offside in the build-up, keeping the Ospreys pointless. Munster’s main concern was bringing up the bonus-point try and Ian Keatley’s grubber forced the Welsh region onto the backfoot. After Munster won back possession, Ronan O’Mahony plunged through a gap and Kilcoyne completed the move for his second try of the night. Munster continued to look dangerous with Keatley pulling the strings, before Copeland had the final say after working off a five-metre scrum with Bleyendaal converting.
