Munster late show stuns Ospreys

Dave Kilcoyne scored a last-minute try for Munster to claim a 25-23 win over Ospreys on Saturday in the PRO12.%u200B

Tyler Bleyendaal opened the visitors' account from the tee, but the Welsh region scored 17 unanswered points through Hanno Dirksen and Kieron Fonotia tries while Sam Davies added two conversions and a penalty.

Davies and Bleyendaal traded three-pointers before the Irish province came back into the encounter at the break via Jack O'Donoghue and Francis Saili touchdowns. 

Ospreys' fly-half added a third penalty in a quieter second period but there proved to be one final important contribution when Kilcoyne crossed the line to snatch the win. 

In a battle between two title contenders, it was the hosts that dominated the opening quarter. Although Bleyendaal gave Munster a 3-0 advantage from the tee, Steve Tandy's men soon got themselves on the front foot. 

Davies, underlining his international credentials, directed play impressively from stand-off and his excellent pass sent Sam Underhill through a hole. Good hands gave Dirksen space on the left and the wing showed impressive strength and pace to touch down. 

Eight minutes later and the Ospreys held an 11-point buffer thanks to Fonotia, who spotted a gap, weaved inside and crossed the whitewash. Their pivot added his second conversion and then a penalty for a 17-3 lead, but Bleyendaal responded for Munster with one of his own. 

The Irish province were gradually getting themselves back into the contest, despite Davies kicking a second three-pointer, and a neatly worked lineout move saw O'Donoghue crash over. Saili soon followed the back-rower across the line as a period of pressure gave the centre the space to touch down. 

While the first half was an exciting, free-flowing affair, that changed after the break. Defences were on top and the third quarter remained scoreless with the game primarily being played between the 22s.

Eventually, the Welsh region carved out a penalty opportunity and their fly-half made it a five-point game with 20 minutes remaining. 

Following that three-pointer, Munster duly got back on the front foot and almost scored through Bleyendaal but he was adjudged to have been held up. Munster could have become frustrated but with one last surge they managed to score when Kilcoyne powered over from close range, an effort which secured a priceless victory.

The scorers:

For Ospreys:
Tries: Dirksen, Fonotia
Cons: Davies 2
Pens: Davies 3

For Munster:
Tries: O'Donoghue, Saili, Kilcoyne
Cons: Bleyendaal 2
Pens: Bleyendaal 2

Ospreys: 15 Dan Evans, 14 Keelan Giles, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 12 Ashley Beck, 11 Hanno Dirksen, 10 Sam Davies, 9 Tom Habberfield (c), 8 James King, 7 Sam Underhill, 6 Olly Cracknell, 5 Rory Thornton, 4 Lloyd Ashley, 3 Rhodri Jones, 2 Scott Baldwin, 1 Nicky Smith
Replacements: 16 Sam Parry, 17 Paul James, 18 Daniel Suter, 19 Tyler Ardron, 20 Dan Baker, 21 Brendon Leonard, 22 Luke Price, 23 Ben John

Munster: 15 Ian Keatley, 14 Ronan O’Mahony, 13 Francis Saili, 12 Rory Scannell, 11 Darren Sweetnam, 10 Tyler Bleyendaal (c), 9 Duncan Williams, 8 Jack O’Donoghue, 7 Tommy O’Donnell, 6 Dave O’Callaghan, 5 Billy Holland, 4 Darren O’Shea, 3 John Ryan, 2 Rhys Marshall, 1 Dave Kilcoyne
Replacements: 16 Kevin O’Byrne, 17 Peter McCabe, 18 Stephen Archer, 19 Dave Foley, 20 Conor Oliver, 21 Abrie Griesel, 22 Dan Goggin, 23 Andrew Conway

Referee: Marius Mitrea (Italy)
Assistant Referees: Claudio Blessano (Italy), Stuart Kibble (Wales)
TMO: Stefano Penne (Italy)