Cronin Try Ensures Munster Take Home Maximum Haul

James Cronin’s last-minute try secured a crucial bonus point for Munster in their 32-13 Heineken Champions Cup triumph over the Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium, in front of a fantastic travelling support.

Impressive man-of-the-match Jeremy Loughman scored his first European try on his first start in the competition, while second half scores from Keith Earls, Andrew Conway and replacement loosehead Cronin, after a huge maul, secured the bonus point.

Tyler Bleyendaal kicked 12 points in the first round victory, which tees the province up nicely for next Saturday’s home showdown with Racing 92. Munster were the better side in the first half but the Ospreys defended superbly, limiting the visitors to a 13-6 half-time lead.

Despite some notable absentees, the Ospreys got off to a bright start as Munster strayed offside, with out-half Luke Price opening the scoring with a simple penalty inside kicking range.

His opposite number Bleyendaal hit back twice with successful penalty kicks of his own in the 15th and 19th minutes before Price responded just shy of the half-hour mark, making it six points apiece with a penalty from in front of the posts.

There were 33 minutes on the clock when Munster eventually forced their way over for a timely opening try. The attack went through 25 phases before the Ospreys halted the move with a knock-on as they looked to intercept. Conor Murray went for the quick tap, and after going through the phases again, Loughman powered over right at the posts.

It took Munster barely ten minutes of the second half to extend their lead as Tommy O’Donnell made a big break off a lineout maul, possession was worked out to the left where Mike Haley worked an overlap and fed Earls who did really well to stay in play and finish with aplomb beside the corner flag.

The victory was all but secured in the 51st minute when on-song prop Loughman showed great skills to get the ball to Chris Farrell and he released Conway to scorch over from 50 metres out. Bleyendaal landed the very difficult conversion for a 25-6 advantage.

The Ospreys kept battling and with the benefit of a scrum penalty, they deservedly scored a late try through Aled Davies after the scrum half had taken a quick tap to get over from close range. Price’s conversion also raised their hopes of bagging a bonus point.

It looked as if Munster would miss out on their own bonus point but the visitors, aided by a late penalty won on the ground by Tadhg Beirne, kept plugging away. Their reward came from an 84th-minute rolling maul which saw a dozen red shirts pile in. Cronin grounded the ball and Bleyendaal fired over the conversion in a classy finish.

Munster head coach Johann van Graan admitted afterwards: “That last try could be vital. It doesn’t matter when you score as long as you get four. The last two years we started the Champions Cup with draws away from home so we were happy to get the win tonight.

“A lot of people didn’t give the Ospreys a chance, but I knew all week it would be tough and I have a lot of respect for (Ospreys head coach) Allen Clarke.

“But we gave away too many high shots and we will have to improve our discipline next week. We exploited some areas of space which was pleasing and we created some nice set play. Most games in the world of rugby are won in the second half. It was a titanic battle and we are grateful to have won.”