Having produced a thrilling 37-24 bonus point win over the Stormers last weekend, Booth’s side came into the trip to Cork on a high looking to avenge their play-off defeat back in June.
The Ospreys though were unable to match the same levels of fluidity shown against the South Africans and would be well beaten on the night.
Tries from Shay McCarthy, Chris Farrell, Calvin Nash and flanker Jack O’Donoghue sealed a comprehensive victory for the home side who would be clinical from the off.
The weather was always going to be a major factor in dictating the outcome of the match with the side that settled first likely to gain a strong foothold.
Playing against the wind in the first 40 with the rain lashing down, the Ospreys struggled to gain momentum and deal with the Irish region’s physicality, whilst poor execution with the chances that were created proved to be a costly factor as Booth’s side slipped to a second defeat in three.
Once behind it was always going to be a tricky challenge to chase the game and Booth would not have been happy seeing his side fall behind so early in the contest.
Fly-half Jack Crowley’s kick-off would be fumbled by Owen Watkin giving wing McCarthy the perfect opportunity to collect the spilled ball and crash over for the first try after just 10 seconds.
Munster pushed further ahead midway through the half with centre Farrell able to crash over from close range after a maul effort from the hosts was stopped just short.
Then came the decisive blow leaving the Ospreys with an uphill mountain to climb. Winger Nash crossing for a third for Munster in the corner to extend the commanding lead to 18-0 at the break.
The second half would be more competitive with the hosts facing very strong wind, allowing the Ospreys a fairer share of possession and territory.
After some stern Munster defence to repel a number of Ospreys attacks, Graham Rowntree’s side secured the bonus-point win when McCarthy made a scything break through the Ospreys defence before offloading to O’Donoghue to score a clinical and decisive fourth.
Ospreys began to pile on the pressure in the closing minutes which saw Stephen Archer sent to the bin after repeated infringements from the home side. However, Munster were able to keep the Welsh side out to collect a convincing victory.
“It’s the classic where there was going to be a game of two halves,” said Ospreys boss Booth after the match.
“We’ve come up short tonight. There are two top eight sides from last year, one has converted their chances, and one hasn’t. As a result of those conditions, it gets magnified.
“You are always going to get less opportunities in those situations, so you have to be clinical.
“When you get up there you have to convert it onto the scoreboard. We got up there more than they did but we didn’t convert it and that is the tale of the game for me.
“You always have a wet weather plan. That wind is quite difficult from right to left and you would know that you would have to weather the storm.
“Double figure scores are hard to overcome in those sorts of conditions.
“We huffed and we puffed, and we were brave and tough, but ultimately, you are better off without the ball.
“All that matters now is that we get an opportunity to dust ourselves down now and go against another top eight team next week at home. That is where we need to focus our efforts.”
Ospreys XV:
Nagy, Hopkins, Watkin, Cokanasiga, Conbeer; Edwards, Morgan-Williams; Thomas, Lake, Botha, Sutton, Beard, Ratti, Morgan (capt), Morris.
Replacements:
Parry, Phillips, Warren, Jones, Deaves, Davies, Walsh, Williams.
[Lead image: Ospreys Rugby]
