Munster beat Cardiff in a dogged season opener at Thomond Park
Munster secured a hard-earned 23-20 victory over Cardiff on a cool Saturday night at Thomond Park, delivering their best domestic start since 2021 as the BKT URC season got into stride. It was a test of resolve as Cardiff, bolstered by Callum Sheedy’s sharp kicking and Josh Adams’s opportunities, pushed the Irish province deep into the game. In the end, a blend of clinical finishing, steady game management from Jack Crowley, and late Kwa-esque urgency from Munster told the tale.
Key moments set the tone early
The opening exchanges suggested a high-intensity contest, with Munster-flanker Ruadhán Quinn breaking through for the first try after a clever build-up led by Thaakir Abrahams. Crowley’s influence was evident from the outset, orchestrating Munster’s attacks and probing Cardiff’s defense. A spectacular moment almost delivered a world-class score when Crowley regathered a chip and chase and played an audacious over-the-shoulder cross-kick towards Dan Kelly, a moment that referee Griffon Colby ruled a double movement against the centre. The decision kept the first scoreline tight, five-all, and heralded what would be a physically demanding 80 minutes.
Cardiff strike back and Munster suffer a setback
Cardiff’s quick reply came through Josh Adams after Callum Sheedy’s grubber kick, a sharp reminder that Munster could not rest on their laurels. The visitors, sparked by a robust scrum and sharper ball handling, put noticeable pressure on Munster’s line. The home side’s discipline came under the spotlight as a late first-half infringement by Gavin Coombes earned him a sin-bin, allowing Cardiff to pressure Munster with an extra man in the dying minutes before the break. The Welsh side could not convert the possession into points, and the teams went into the interval still level.
Second half: Munster take control and Cardiff respond
After the break, Cardiff continued to show threat, with Tom Bowen finishing a well-constructed move to cross for the Welsh side, putting Munster on the back foot again. Yet Munster’s resilience shone through as Gavin Coombes’s try, powered from close range amid a succession of penalties, swung the momentum in their favour. Crowley’s conversion — despite a stiff breeze — restored Munster’s lead, and the fly-half then landed a measured drop goal to stretch the advantage to eight points with 15 minutes remaining.
Cardiff did not retreat, and Bowen added a third try, keeping the visitors in touch and earning two late bonus points for Cardiff. The contest remained in the balance until Diarmuid Barron, deputising at No. 8, finished a cat-and-mouse moment after a quick tap, pushing Munster five points clear and setting up the final period’s tension.
Late pressure and Munster’s consolidation
With Munster chasing a comfortable cushion, Crowley’s boot added a crucial three points, and a deft late drop goal sealed the result in a late-season-inspired flourish. The result left Munster sitting third in the URC table ahead of next week’s trip to Edinburgh, while Cardiff left Thomond Park with two valuable bonus points after a spirited showing on hostile soil.
What the win means for Munster
The result underlined Munster’s intent to push for domestic honours and a strong European campaign. Crowley’s leadership and kicking, paired with Quinn, Coombes, and Barron’s tries, demonstrated a squad capable of turning pressure into points when it matters most. The win also provided a platform for Munster to refine their attack in the air and at set-piece, areas they will look to sharpen as they prepare for a tougher schedule ahead.
Scorers
Munster: Tries – Ruadhán Quinn, Gavin Coombes, Diarmuid Barron; Con: Jack Crowley; Pen: Jack Crowley; Drop goal: Jack Crowley
Cardiff: Tries – Josh Adams, Tom Bowen (3); Yellow card: Josh McNally
Team line-ups and selection notes
Munster: Ben O’Connor; Shane Daly, Dan Kelly, Alex Nankivell, Thaakir Abrahams; Jack Crowley, Ethan Coughlan; Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell (capt), Oli Jager; Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley; Tom Ahern, Ruadhán Quinn, Gavin Coombes. Replacements: Diarmuid Barron (for Scannell, 24-37 and 40), Josh Wycherley (for Loughman, 58), Ronan Foxe (for Jager, 70), Jack O’Donoghue (for Quinn, 54), Brian Gleeson (for F Wycherley, 58), Paddy Patterson (for Coughlan, 53), Tony Butler (for Crowley, 77), Seán O’Brien (for Daly, 9).
Cardiff: Jacob Beetham; Josh Adams, Harri Millard, Rory Jennings, Tom Bowen; Callum Sheedy, Johan Mulder; Danny Southworth, Liam Belcher (capt), Javan Sebastian; Josh McNally, Teddy Williams; Alex Mann, Dan Thomas, Alun Lawrence. Replacements: Daf Hughes (for Belcher, 54), Rhys Barratt (for Southworth, 54), Sam Wainwright (for Sebastian, 68), Ben Donnell (for Mann, 58), Taine Basham (for Thomas, 58), Aled Davies (for Mulder, 67), Ioan Lloyd (for Sheedy, 58), Steff Emanuel.
