Munster 26
Dragons 5
DAVE KILCOYNE WAS the scoring hero as Munster ended their run of three successive home defeats in the Guinness Pro12 with an impressive 26-5 over Dragons at Thomond Park.
Kilcoyne scored a try in each half either side of a Rory Scannell effort and James Cronin got their fourth try late on to claim the bonus point victory.
It is the second time in less than a month that Kilcoyne has scored a pair of tries but unlike the loss away to Glasgow, this time Munster were celebrating at the end.
Andrew Conway created the opening try with a break after 20 minutes as Munster got on top. The fullback looked to play Simon Zebo in but Ashton Hewitt did enough to prevent the winger running clear of the Dragons’ cover.
The ball was recycled and Munster’s score eventually came as Kilcoyne barged over. Ian Keatley failed to convert.
Anthony Foley’s men were over again in the 33rd minute through Rory Scannell. Scrum-half Duncan Williams provided the pass and the centre skipped clear of Dragons prop Phil Price to make it 10-0 to the hosts. Keatley found his range as Munster went in 12-0 to the good at half-time.
The hosts made the perfect start to the second half as Kilcoyne repeated his first-half exploits as he dived over again to score Munster’s third try. Keatley added the extras to make it 19-0 after 45 minutes.
The Dragons responded almost immediately as Welsh international Hallam Amos dotted down in the 47th minute. Jason Tovey had orchestrated the try but he failed to convert.
James Cronin was the star of the last 20 minutes for the home side. In the 61st minute he denied Dragons a second try. Adam Warren dived for the line but Cronin got his boot under Warren to hold the ball up.
And the replacement prop grabbed the crucial fourth try in the 78th minute to seal the bonus point. Johnny Holland converted to give Munster a comprehensive 26-5 victory.
Scorers: Munster: Tries: Dave Kilcoyne (2), R Scannell, J Cronin Conversions: Ian Keatley (2), Johnny Holland
Dragons: Tries: Hallam Amos
Munster: Andrew Conway (David Johnston ’58); Darren Sweetnam, Francis Saili, Rory Scannell, Simon Zebo; Ian Keatley (Johnny Holland ’62), Duncan Williams (Cathal Sheridan ’71); Dave Kilcoyne (James Cronin ’49), Niall Scannell (Mike Sherry ’49), John Ryan (Stephen Archer ’68); Mark Chisholm (Dave Foley ’41), Billy Holland; Dave O’Callaghan, Tommy O’Donnell (Robin Copeland ’52), Jack O’Donoghue.
Replacements not used: none
Newport Gwent Dragons: Carl Meyer; Ashton Hewitt, Adam Hughes (Ross Wardle ’52), Adam Warren, Hallam Amos; Jason Tovey (Angus O’Brien ’49), Charlie Davies (Sarel Pretorius ’49); Phil Price, Thomas Rhys Thomas, Brok Harris (Lloyd Fairbrother ’68); Cory Hill, Matthew Screech (Rynard Landman ’49); Nick Crosswell, Nic Cudd, Lewis Evans (Ed Jackson ’49).
Replacements not used: Elliot Dee, Shaun Knight.
Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR)
