Munster start URC campaign with hard-fought victory over Cardiff
Munster made it two wins from two to start their BKT URC campaign, edging Cardiff 23-20 at Thomond Park on a night of attritional rugby. With tries from Ruadhán Quinn, Gavin Coombes and Diarmuid Barron, and eight points from the boot of Jack Crowley, the southerners produced a performance that combined resilience with moments of class as they navigated a testing Welsh challenge.
The match swung on moments of precision and a touch of Munster magic. Crowley and Dan Kelly almost conjured a world-class score in the opening exchanges as the home side laid down their intent. A late in-tight moment saw Crowley regather a chip and chase and test the defence with an audacious cross kick toward the new man Kelly. Officials deemed a double movement had occurred, and the score was chalked off, but the script hinted at Munster’s attacking ambitions for the evening.
The game also featured a physical flashpoint when Josh McNally’s high shot on Shane Daly earned a sin-bin for the Cardiff skipper, then Daly’s HIA saw Seán O’Brien enter the fray. The red card-sized moment seemed to galvanise Cardiff, who struck back thanks to Callum Sheedy’s grubber and Josh Adams racing onto the ball for a converted try, the visitors finding themselves 5-0 in arrears but suddenly level after the early denial of Munster’s breakthrough.
Cardiff’s set-piece and attacking width stretched Munster in periods, and the visitors finished the first half with pressure at the Munster line. A penalty count, some costly Munster errors, and a late hold-up over their own line kept the scoreboard tight at 5-5 at half-time. The visitors’ momentum briefly tilted the balance in their favour, but a strong finish to the half from Munster’s defence and discipline kept the score level and left the hosts with a platform to push on in the second period.
Second half: Crowley ice-cold with boot and brilliant ball
After Cardiff’s start to the second period, the visitors struck first again through Tom Bowen, who finished a slick move to give Cardiff a 12-5 lead in the early stages of the half. But Munster would not fade. They executed a moves-driven reply that began with a steady lineout platform and a driving forward effort, marshalled by Crowley’s orchestrating at number 10. A sequence of penalties allowed Gavin Coombes to dive over from close range, pulling Munster back into the contest and giving Crowley the opportunity to convert from a stiff breeze to edge the hosts ahead for the first time just past the hour mark.
Coombes’ try was the spark needed, but the game swung again when Cardiff struck back through Bowen’s second, aided by a few fortunate bounces. Munster responded with a quick restart and pressure of their own, culminating in Diarmuid Barron’s decisive score from a quick tap after a scrum penalty. With the conversion and a subsequent drop goal from Crowley, Munster stretched ahead to eight points with 15 minutes remaining.
From there, Cardiff finished with a flourish, adding a third try as Bowen completed a hat-trick. It was a reminder of the Welsh visitors’ resilience and Munster’s need to stay sharp to secure a 23-20 win that keeps their domestic campaign on track. Crowley added two more points with a confident drop goal late on, sealing a performance that suggested a well-balanced, multi-dimensional Munster side capable of grinding out results as they build momentum for the season ahead.
Key moments and takeaway
• Crowley’s boot proved decisive, with two penalties and a drop goal proving the difference in a tight game.
• Ruadhán Quinn’s early try showed Munster’s willingness to attack from the outset, while Diarmuid Barron’s late surge underscored their forward power.
• The win lifts Munster to third in the URC table as they prepare to welcome Edinburgh to Cork next Friday, eager to extend their 2024-25 campaign’s promising start.
Scorers: Munster – Tries: Ruadhán Quinn, Gavin Coombes, Diarmuid Barron; Con: Jack Crowley; Pen: Jack Crowley; Dropgoal: Jack Crowley. Cardiff – Tries: Josh Adams, Tom Bowen (3); Yellow card: Josh McNally.
Lineups and further match details followed the final whistle as both teams reflected on a spirited contest in Thomond Park’s familiar roar.
