Munster v Cardiff Blues - Minute by Minute

17.30pm - Munster kick off in front of a sell-out home crowd

3mins - Nick Macleod misses a simple penalty, albeit a strong wind.

6 - A move involving most of the Munster side sweeps from right to left, eventually leading to a try in the corner. Expertly converted from a tight angle by Jeremy Manning. 7-0

9 - Sowden-Taylor is penalised for a late tackle on the Munster fly half standing in for Ronan O’Gara. The kick sails o the left of the post.

11 - Flannagan’s restart from the penalty goes straight out, Munster scrum on the Blues’ 22. Cardiff under increasing pressure.

13 - The scrambling Blues defence is called offside right in front of the posts. Manning converts, the Irish lead 10-0.

18 - Duane Goodefeild’s fine dummy earns the hooker a try, following a long spell of pressure by the Blues. Macleod misses the conversion. 10-5.

25 - Munster score in the left corner again, but serious questions are raised over the grounding. The conversion falls well short. They now lead 15-5.

28 - Munster offside, Macleod converts the hardest of all his attempts. Just a score in it now, 15-8.

30 - Mark Lewis harshly pinned for a high tackle. Manning converts the straight attempt., though the kick shows just how strong the wind is there. 18-8.

40 +2 - A trio of Munster scrums results in a free kick for the home side, but excellent defence by the Blues hold on, and a fantastic turnover, 5 metres from the line, is booted to touch by Mike Phillips as the ref blows for half time.

18.12pm - Half Time - Munster 18 Cardiff Blues 8

Next Update; Full Time. C'mon Cardiff!

18.23pm - Flannagan kicks off very well, and within 2 minutes, the Blues are threatening in the Munster 22.

43 - Cardiff coming within 5 metres of the line, but a knock on by John Yapp means the move comes to nothing. Manning goes off injured for Munster, and on comes former Blue and Black, Paul Burke, playing his final game for Munster.

47 - Captain Rhys Williams goes off injured, Craig Morgan replaces him, making his final appearance for Cardiff. Jamie Robinson will probably take over the captains duties.

49 - As a chorus of ‘Munster; Munster; Munster’ rings around the stadium, it becomes clear that it’s Deiniol Jones who takes over as captain.

53 - The atmosphere is amazing as Paul Burke steps us to take a penalty. However, he misses. Still no score in the half.

56 - Martyn Williams comes on to replace Mark Lewis. Molitika goes to number 8.

59 - Rob Sidoli goes off, replaced by highly-rated youngster, Bradley Davies.

60 - Deiniol Jones makes a try saving tackle a metre from the line, Munster knocking on; the captain leading by example.

63 - A tap penalty from 5 metres out is held up by Mike Phillips, denying Munster again.

64 - John Kelly is on the end of the move to cross the line unchallenged after a great flick-pass from Burke. He then converts. Munster 25 Cardiff 8.

66 - Rhys Tomas comes on for Duane Goodefeild. Also, Rhys Gill replaces John Yapp.

67 - Jamie Robinson is replaced by Tom Reiley.

74 - Munster’s John O’Sullivan looks set to run over from the 22, but the ball slips through his arms mid-run, and the Blues are let off.

80 - Munster cap off the game with a long run-in try. Munster replacement Hampstead does the hard work, running 50 metres into the 22. Macleod’s tackle prevents him from scoring, but the on-rushing winger is at hand and rounds off a great week for the Irish province.

81 - Nick Robinson one for Mike Phillips.

84 - The young Blues giving everything they’ve got left for a consolation score, but Robinson’s knock on brings their chances pretty much to an end.

87 - Dai Flannagan gifts Hapstead a try, his predictable pass intercepted for a simple unchallenged run in under the posts. It caps off a poor match for Flannagan, but a great day, week and year for Munster. Burke converts and a pitch invasion signals the final whistle.

Full Time: Munster 37 Cardiff Blues 8