Dewi Lake is tackled by Gavin Coombes and Niall Scannell of Munster(Image: Seb Daly/Huw Evans Agency)

10-second try sets the tone as pointless Ospreys suffer Irish defeat

The Ospreys conceded a try straight from the kick-off as they suffered a 23-0 defeat against Munster

by · Wales Online

A nightmare start saw the Ospreys fall to a disappointing 23-0 defeat against Munster at Virgin Media Park.

Shay McCarthy's try after just 10 seconds equalled the record for the United Rugby Championship's fastest score and set the tone for a difficult night in the driving Cork rain.

Toby Booth's side faced Munster for the first time since their defeat to the province in the URC play-offs - as they looked to back up last Saturday's win over the Stormers with something tangible from their first foray outside of Wales this season.

However, the Ospreys' night couldn't have got off to a worse start, with Owen Watkin failing to take the opening kick-off cleanly.

That allowed Munster wing McCarthy to sneak in for a try after just a matter of seconds - the perfect response for the Irish province after their shock defeat to Zebre last weekend.

If there was any doubt about what sort of night it was going to be for the Welsh side, a high tackle on wing Iestyn Hopkins wasn't even looked at by official Mike Adamson.

Having lost tighthead prop Tom Botha an hour before kick-off, with Ben Warren brought in to start and Math Iorwerth-Scott coming on to the bench, it felt like everything was conspiring against the Ospreys.

A Jack Crowley penalty pushed Munster further ahead, before scores from Tom Farrell and Calvin Nash opened up an 18-point deficit at the break.

Munster racked up the bonus point just after the hour mark when Jack O'Donoghue went over.

In the dying minutes, Munster were reduced to 14 men when Stephen Archer was sent to the sin-bin. However, the Ospreys still failed to trouble the scorers.


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