JAMES CRONIN scored the bonus-point try as Munster kicked off their Champions Cup campaign with victory in Swansea.
Former Leinster prop Jeremy Loughman was the unlikely source for Munster’s opening effort in the first half at the Liberty Stadium.
Keith Earls and Conway added two more after half-time and Cronin finished things off at the death.
Munster coach Johann van Graan said: “It was a tough old game and we knew this was going to be incredibly hard.
“When you scored that fourth one in the 82nd minute you enjoy it more. In the context of the group that could be big in the end.”
Ospreys forced an early penalty and out-half Luke Price drove the ball deep into the Munster 22.
RUTHLESS STREAK
But Peter O’Mahony emerged with a sensational turnover and Rory Scannell found a huge clearance from inside his own end-goal area.
Ospreys looked rejuvenated after a dreadful defeat at home to Southern Kings in the PRO14 and Price scored first with an eighth minute penalty after Munster’s blitz defence rushed up offside.
The returning Keith Earls had a chance to hit back with a try shortly after but he knocked on after a nice backline move in the Ospreys 22.
Munster were back level on 16 minutes when prop Ma’afu Fia strayed offside and Tyler Bleyendaal kicked the penalty.
PULLING AWAY
The former New Zealand U-20 captain doubled his tally after CJ Stander forced winger Hanno Dirksen to hold on when he was tackled.
Loughman made his presence felt in the first half. He had a huge break after a brilliant catch from Earls but the move ended when Tommy O’Donnell was adjudged to have tackled Dirksen high.
Munster’s defensive shape was good but Jean Kleyn’s high tackle on his opposite number Marvin Orie gifted Price the opportunity to tie things up in the 29th minute.
Munster were looking dangerous in attack and showed incredible patience to work within five metres of the Ospreys line. But Shaun Venter prevented Rory Scannell from making a decisive break.
PLAIN SAILING
Loughman grabbed a deserved try in the 34th minute when he capitalised at the end of another relentless drive towards the Ospreys line. Bleyendaal converted.
Ospreys were hanging on at the interval at 13-6 but it only looked a matter of time before Munster pulled clear.
They completely dominated the lineout but Ospreys fronted up in the scrum and they won a scrum penalty to earn an attacking platform five minutes after the restart.
But they couldn’t gain a foothold and hooker Scott Otten gave away a penalty.
From the lineout Tommy O’Donnell got through down the blindside. Loughman almost scored his second but Earls crossed when the ball was recycled. Two minutes later
Conway raced clear down the right after Loughman was again involved.
As Munster went in search of the bonus point CJ Stander made another outstanding turnover at the breakdown.
Aled Davies notched the Ospreys consolation in the 78th minute but Munster had one last chance and Cronin touched down in the corner.
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SCORERS – Ospreys: try, A Davies; pens, L Price 2; con, Price. Munster: try, J Loughman, K Earls, A Conway, J Cronin; pens, T Bleyendaal 2; cons, Bleyendaal 3.
OSPREYS: C Evans; H Dirksen, T Thomas-Wheeler, S Williams, T Williams; L Price, S Venter; R Jones, S Otten, M Fia; M Orie, L Ashley; D Lydiate, O Cracknell, M Morris. Reps: N Smith for Jones 51 mins; B Davies for Ashley 51; S Cross for Morris 51; A Davies for Venter 51; K Williams for S Williams 61; I Phillips for Otten 61; J Hook for Evans 62; G Gajion for Fia 70.
MUNSTER: M Haley; A Conway, C Farrell, R Scannell, K Earls; T Bleyendaal, C Murray; J Loughman, N Scannell, J Ryan; J Kleyn, B Holland; P O’Mahony, T O’Donnell, CJ Stander. Reps: S Archer for Ryan 51; T Beirne for Kleyn 55; A Botha for O’Donnell 59; K O’Byrne for N Scannell 61; J Cronin for Loughman 61; A Mathewson for Murray 66; D Goggin for R Scannell 67; S Arnold for Conway 71.
REFEREE: K Dickson (RFU).