Munster left it late but ultimately recorded a third straight win in the BKT United Rugby Championship, beating Edinburgh 20-19 in Cork.
A late Fineen Wycherley try, a brace from Michael Milne and an early score from Andrew Smith helped Clayton McMillan's men to a bonus-point victory, against an Edinburgh side who would live to regret a night where they received four yellow cards.
Despite trailing for most of the contest, it took Munster just two minutes to get the game’s opening score.
Edinburgh scrum-half Ben Vellacott’s pass bounced into touch, allowing Smith and Calvin Nash to take a quick lineout.
Nash booted a long grubber kick deep downfield with the bouncing ball beating Darcy Graham and sat up for Smith for the five pointer.
Just three minutes later, the Scottish side had a try of their own. British and Irish Lion Ewan Ashman finished from close range to level proceedings after a dangerous maul from five metres out.
A second try for the visitors would soon follow, as Munster’s set piece issues reappeared in Cork.
Diarmuid Barron’s overthrown lineout was claimed by Ashman, and a few phases later Vellacott burrowed his way over from a few inches out.
After a stodgy period that saw both sides lose tight five forwards to head injuries, Munster just could not turn the tide.
Edinburgh’s indiscipline cost them numerous penalties and replacement Glen Young to the bin, but they defended resolutely, albeit helped by Munster’s handling errors.
After one of those cough-ups, the home side lost experienced full back Mike Haley to injury.
Edinburgh’s D’arcy Rae had his high shot on Haley sent to the bunker and remained yellow after mitigation.
This seemed to buoy Munster who dragged themselves back to level pegging right after.
Successive penalties saw JJ Hanrahan elect to kick for the corner, and just two phases after the driving maul was stopped short, Ireland prop Milne was not to be stopped from three metres out.
Uncharacteristically however, Hanrahan’s conversion attempt drifted wide again.
Playing with a two-man advantage, Munster started to make inroads with ball in hand.
Edinburgh were lucky not to receive a third card for a tackle without the ball on Paddy Patterson, after Dan Kelly and Tom Farrell linked up to put Munster back inside the visitors’ redzone.
The final scoring chance of the half would be squandered, meaning the Scots took a slender two-point lead into the half-time break.
Like the first half, it was the visitors who looked sharper, and stronger, to start the second period. With that impetus, a try would again follow.
Back to their full complement, and after a dozen patient phases, James Lang measured a crossfield kick to perfection, falling into Graham’s arms for a well worked score.
The visitors led by nine, and looked destined to repeat their heroics from back in February.
Needing a spark, Tom Farrell would try to light it.
First, a savvy offload set Calvin Nash away, which could have led to a score if not for a cynical, yellow-card breakdown entry from Freddy Douglas.
His second moment of attacking flair would lead to a score. Milne again used his size to great effect to barrel over, but Hanrahan was off target with the extras.
The returning Cobh lock Edwin Edogbo was introduced in the interim, receiving one of the loudest roars of the night.
Magnus Bradbury got the fourth sin-binning on the 70th minute, for a croc roll on Lee Barron, leaving the hosts with a man advantage for the closing passages.
This would invariably lead to the go-ahead score, as Munster clicked into gear.
Farrell again stretched the defence before Brian Gleeson went close. On the fold around it was second row Wycherley who drove over, to give Munster the lead heading into the home straight.
The bonus-point score was secured and the lead, but still there was time for an Edinburgh comeback.
The home side came closest to a late score, but Gavin Coombes saw his try chalked off for an earlier knock on.
Munster withheld one last stand from their gallant guests and left with a full five points and a perfect record ahead of their Croke Park showdown with Leinster on Saturday week.
SCORERS
Munster: Tries – Andrew Smith, Michael Milne (2), Fineen Wycherley
Edinburgh: Tries – Ewan Ashman, Ben Vellacott, Darcy Graham
Cons: Ben Healy (2)
Yellow cards: Glen Young, D’arcy Rae, Freddy Douglas, Magnus Bradbury
Munster: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Seán O’Brien, Andrew Smith; JJ Hanrahan, Paddy Patterson; Michael Milne, Diarmuid Barron, Oli Jager; Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley; Jack O’Donoghue, Ruadhán Quinn, Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Lee Barron (for D. Barron, 51), Josh Wycherley (for Milne, 60), John Ryan (for Jager, 23 {HIA}), Edwin Edogbo (for Kleyn, 55), Brian Gleeson (for Quinn, 46), Ethan Coughlan (for Patterson, 59), Tony Butler (for Hanrahan, 70), Dan Kelly (for Haley, 30 {HIA}).
Edinburgh: Wes Goosen; Darcy Graham, Piers O’Conor, James Lang, Duhan van der Merwe; Ben Healy, Ben Vellacott, Pierre Schoeman, Ewan Ashman, D’arcy Rae; Marshall Sykes, Sam Skinner; Liam McConnell, Dylan Richardson, Magnus Bradbury.
Replacements: Paddy Harrison (for Ashman, 65), Boan Venter (for Schoeman, 49), Paul Hill (for Rae, 49), Glen Young (for Sykes, 18-37 {HIA}), Freddy Douglas (for McConnell, 49), Ben Muncaster (for Richardson, 49), Charlie Shiel (for Vellacott), Harry Paterson (for van der Merwe, 69-73).
Referee: Ben Whitehouse
