The Irish province ran riot at Thomond Park and grabbed five tries to secure a bonus-point victory.

But the Dragons were left empty handed after losing their third straight game and slumped to tenth in the RaboDirect PRO12 table.

Munster made a flying start to the encounter and grabbed a pair of tries from Ian Keatley and Niall Ronan inside 13 minutes.

Tom Prydie hit-back after Donncha O'Callaghan was sent to the sin-bin but the fullback failed with several further attempts at goal.

Lewis Robling took over the kicking duties and reduced the deficit early in the second-half.

Robling took over the kicking duties and his penalty reduced the arrears to 14-6 at the break.

But they were dealt a blow when Dan Way was sent to the sin-bin after a ruck offence and Munster took advantage of their numerical advantage.

Conor Murray raced over unopposed after a move off the back of the scrum and Simon Zebo quickly grabbed Munster's second.

The Dragons responded in impressive fashion with Adam Hughes unfortunate not to score but Evans scampered over after they attacked from a five-metre scrum, which Robling converted.

But Munster extinguished any hope of a comeback when Tommy O'Donnell bagged the hosts' fifth try.