Glasgow Warriors held reigning Magners League champions Munster to just one point with eight minutes remaining on the Thomond Park clock tonight, but a late try from South Africa’s 2008 player of the year, Jean de Villiers, sealed the victory for the home side.

Despite the loss, Glasgow remain within the top-four play-off zone, albeit with the Ospreys nipping at their heels.

The Scots travelled back over the Irish Sea just six days after nine members of their squad helped seal a memorable win at Croke Park in the final match of the RBS 6 Nations Championship.

Munster took the early initiative scoring through winger Denis Hurley.

Ronan O’Gara slotted a penalty in the 20th minute, but it was soon cancelled out by Dan Parks who replied just two minutes later.

Even though down to 14 men following Graeme Morrison’s yellow card for deliberate obstruction, Glasgow found their scoring touch as stand-in captain, flanker John Barclay, crossed the line. Parks converted.

O’Gara was on target with his second penalty to give the home side a one point advantage at the break.

Half-time score: Munster 11-10 Warriors

Parks and O’Gara exchanged penalties twice more before Kevin Tkachuk became the second Glasgow player to be yellow-carded when he was binned for a ruck offence on 63 minutes. O'Gara kicked the penalty to keep Munster’s single point lead intact with just eight minutes to go.

Eventually, a try from de Villiers sealed the win for Munster and the resulting conversion denied Glasgow the losing bonus point.

The Warriors will continue on the road to the Grand Final next weekend when they take on Newport Gwent Dragons at Firhill on Sunday 4 April (kick-off 3.05pm).

Munster: Paul Warwick; Denis Hurley, Lifeimi Mafi, Jean de Villiers, Ian Dowling; Ronan O'Gara, Peter Stringer; Marcus Horan, Denis Fogarty, Julien Brugnaut, Donncha O'Callaghan, Mick O'Driscoll, Alan Quinlan, Niall Ronan, James Coughlan  
Replacements: Damien Varley, Dave Ryan, Billy Holland, Nick Williams, Duncan Williams, Tom Gleeson, Doug Howlett

Glasgow Warriors: Bernardo Stortoni; Pete Murchie, Max Evans, Graeme Morrison, DTH van der Merwe; Dan Parks, Chris Cusiter; Jon Welsh, Dougie Hall, Moray Low, Richie Gray, Dan Turner, Kelly Brown, John Barclay, Johnnie Beattie  
Replacements: Fergus Thomson, Kevin Tkachuk, Tim Barker, Richie Vernon, Mark McMillan, Colin Gregor, Hefin O'Hare