Sports
MUNSTER handed Ulster a fifth consecutive loss in all competitions with a 22-19 bonus-point victory at Kingspan Stadium.
The hosts played the game’s final 50 minutes with 14 men after Ireland prop Tom O’Toole was sent off for a dangerous clear-out in the first-half.
Despite such a lengthy spell with a man disadvantage, Richie Murphy’s side led in the final minutes after James McNabney’s late try only for Munster centre Tom Farrell to complete his hat-trick in the final play of the game to seal the win.
The victory sees Munster, who are still without a permanent head coach after Graham Rowntree’s departure last month, leapfrog Ulster in the United Rugby Championship table and climb all the way up to fifth.
Coming in off the back of four losses, Ulster will have sought a quick start to restore some confidence and got just that with a try after just seven minutes.
A Marcus Rea turnover at the breakdown won back possession before a series of carries close to the line from the forward pack eventually saw tight-head O’Toole barge over from a couple of metres out.
With both sides having been some way short of their best this season, the opening quarter had the look of game between opponents short of confidence.
Munster shipped six penalties in the first 20 minutes, while their line-out malfunctioned in a pair of big spots.
The visitor’s lack of discipline allowed Ulster plenty of possession but handling errors frequently stalled their momentum.
With just under a quarter of an hour before the break, Munster would get on the board, however, when centre Tom Farrell powered his way over off Shane Daly’s pass despite the attempted tackle of Werner Kok.
Crowley’s conversion drifted wide to keep Ulster ahead but the southern province were soon handed all the momentum when O’Toole was shown red for a dangerous clear-out on Munster centre Alex Nankivell ten minutes from the break.
While still in the lead, Ulster’s half went from bad to worse when influential centre Stuart McCloskey hobbled off two minutes before the turn, following wing Bryn Ward down the tunnel who had previously departed with an ankle injury.
While still not enjoying much possession despite the man advantage, Munster took the lead 11 minutes after the restart from Farrell’s second try of the evening.
Crowley’s kick found space on the edge before a neat interchange between Farrell and Haley opened Ulster up.
The hosts were still dominating possession and, after another prolonged spell of pressure, Munster’s Rory Scannell was sent to the sin bin for an accumulation of Munster penalties.
With the playing numbers evened up for the next ten minutes, Ulster were finally able to take an opportunity close to the Munster line when Harry Sheridan barged over after John Cooney had been stopped just short sniping from the back of a line-out maul.
Munster struck back almost immediately, however, and again Ulster’s defence left plenty to be desired.
While again Munster moved the ball well to get Shane Daly into space, the hosts will feel their opponents were able to get into the outside channel far too easily.
After Crowley’s third miss off the tee, Scannell returned with his side 15-12 ahead.
There was still plenty of drama left, however. Ulster thought they had won the game when James McNabney burrowed over with four minutes remaining only for Farrell to have the final say with the game’s winning score in the 79th minute.
Ulster, who stay 10th in the table, will turn their attention to next week’s trip to Connacht as they seek a first win since October, while Munster host Leinster on 27 December.
Line-ups
Ulster: Lowry; Kok, Postlethwaite, McCloskey, Ward; Morgan, Cooney; Warwick, Herring, O’Toole; O’Connor (capt), Treadwell; McNabney, Marcus Rea, McCann.
Replacements: Andrew, O’Sullivan, Wilson, Sheridan, Matty Rea, Shanahan, Murphy, Telfer.
Red card: O’Toole
Munster: Haley; Nash, Farrell, Nankivell, Daly; Crowley, Patterson; Ryan, Niall Scannell, Archer; Ahern, Wycherley; O’Donoghue (capt), Hodnett, Coombes.
Replacements: Clarke, Kilcoyne, Jager, O’Connell, Kendellen, Coughlan, Rory Scannell, Gleeson.
Yellow card: R Scannell
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
Photo Caption: Munster centre Tom Farrell scored three of his side’s four tries in Belfast
Culled from BBC
21st December, 2024.C.E
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