Newport Gwent Dragons defeated reigning Magners League champions Munster in a thrilling clash at Rodney Parade.
Aled Brew, Will Harries and Martyn Thomas all scored while fly-half Jason Tovey kicked 16 points in a rousing victory.
The result completed a clean sweep against the Irish provinces at Rodney Parade, lifting the Dragons to sixth in the table and a step closer towards Heineken Cup qualification.
Tony Buckley scored in injury-time after a penalty try and a second-half effort by Tim O’Donnell but defeat denied Munster the chance to go top of the table.
Munster dominated the early exchanges but Doug Howlett saw his effort ruled out in the tenth minute after the fourth official ruled he was held over the line. It typified a frustrating opening for the defending champions who also saw O’Gara struck the post from close range and soon worsened when Newport struck against the run of play.
Aled Brew, capped by Wales in 20007, caught Tovey’s pass at full stretch but then side-stepped past Howlett, fended-off Quinlan and then defied Paul Warwick’s challenge to score and Tovey converted.
It was the wake up call Munster needed and within six minutes, they were back on level terms. Tony Buckley ensured they had a major advantage in the scrum and when Newport’s pack conceded three penalties in quick succession close to their own posts, referee Dudley Phillips had little choice but to award a penalty try.
However two penalties by Tovey just before half-time gave Newport a surprise 13-7 lead and Munster started the second half down to 14 men after Lifeimi Mafi was sent to the sin bin.
Dragons made the advantage count when Harries broke through and Tovey converted while O’Gara was off-target again.
Munster did reduce the deficit through O’Donnell after Denis Fogarty’s burst through the midfield was followed by Warwick, but O’Gara’s conversion again sailed wide.
Tovey and O’Gara traded further penalties, the second saw Dragons scrum-half Wayne Evans shown a yellow card. However the difference was that when reduced in numbers, the Dragons out-scored their opponents when Tovey created a try for Thomas to put the home side clear on 66 minutes before a late penalty pout the game beyond reach for Munster before Buckley’s injury-time score
