Since the Bank of Ireland pre-season friendly was announced, anticipation grew across the province as high level rugby was coming to the home of Cavan GAA.
On an overcast day, children with flags lined the roads around the stadium, with a mixture of Ulster jerseys splattered amongst Cavan GAA tops. It felt like a carnival atmosphere, with a sense of occasion.
Ulster brought a large squad, with the aim of giving the team important minutes, with the URC kicking off in two weeks time against Zebre Parma away.
Ulster’s 2022/23 Heineken Player of the Season, Tom Stewart, was named as captain capping off a memorable period in which he also made his senior Ireland debut.
Prop Greg McGrath was also making his first appearance for Ulster, after joining the team to help cover injuries and international players in the front two.
Winger Jacob Stockdale also returned to the team, after appearing in Ireland’s world cup warm-up matches against Italy and Samoa.
The first half didn’t disappoint the pre-match build up, in what was a brutal physical encounter. With Glasgow Warriors missing their Scottish international players, it was clear their combative side were putting their all into the contest to try cause an upset.
Both sides gave away penalties in the opening few minutes. With both defences holding their own and relieving pressure.
Ulster drew first blood in the contest, through new man Dave Ewers, who bulldozed his way through Glasgow’s defence off the back of an Ulster lineout maul. On this occasion Jake Flannery went wide with the conversion.
Six minutes later, Ulster centre James Hume finished off another multi-phased attack, finishing near the posts for Ulster’s second try. Jake Flannery nailed the conversion to send McFarland’s men into a 12-0 lead.
Glasgow then fired back, through their scrum-half Jamie Dobie, who zig-zagged around Ulster’s defence to get the Scots on the scoresheet. Duncan Weir added the extras for Franco Smith’s men.
As half time grew closer, so did Ulster’s third try. Glasgow showed stubbornness in their defence, at one point holding up a Tom Stewart try attempt as Ulster pushed.
In was a friendly in name only, with Nathan McBeth receiving a yellow card and tempers flaring.
The captain got the try at his second bite of the cherry, with Stewart powering his way over. Flannery sent the home side into a 19-7 lead at half time with his successful conversion.
The second half started with fast intent from Glasgow, as Ulster started to mix things up from the bench. Greg Hiddleston took advantage of a fortunate bounce into touch, as he finished off a Glasgow lineout maul to narrow the scoreline. Weir made the score 19-14 with a well executed conversion.
Ulster’s home support showed their satisfaction with the efforts of Dave Ewers and debutant Greg McGrath, with both putting in impressive shifts.
The second half went into a bit of a scrap, with the number of changes from each side perhaps not helping the momentum of the match.
The home side showed signs of good quick ball, with replacement Dave Shanahan moving the ball around well. At one point a great line break and offload from Stewart Moore looked to have Ethan McIlroy free but Glasgow thwarted the move.
Ulster’s home support showed their satisfaction with the efforts of Dave Ewers and debutant Greg McGrath, with both putting in impressive shifts.
Ulster ended the match on top and were pushing for a try to kill the contest. However, Glasgow stayed firm and a few sloppy penalties disappointed Ulster’s players as they got closer to the Glasgow 5m line.
With the final whistle, Eoghan Cross ended a good pre-season runout, with both sides putting in big shifts as they sharpen their tools ahead of the new season.
Ulster’s historic day will be remembered as ideal preparation and a good day out, as the thousands in attendance smiled their way out of Kingspan Breffni.
Bank of Ireland Player Of The Match – Dave Ewers
Scorers
Ulster:
TRY: Ewers, Hume, Stewart
CON: Flannery x2
Glasgow
TRY: Dobie, Hiddleston
CON: Weir x2
Team
(15-9) Will Addison, Rob Baloucoune, James Hume, Jude Postlethwaite, Jacob Stockdale, Jake Flannery, Nathan Doak
(1-8) Andrew Warwick, Tom Stewart (C), Greg McGrath, Matty Rea, Kieran Treadwell, Dave Ewers, Marcus Rea, Dave McCann
Replacements: John Andrew, Billy Burns, Ben Carson, Reuben Crothers, Angus Curtis, Cameron Doak, Ben Griffin, Cormac Izuchukwu, Ethan McIlroy, Conor Mckee, Stewart Moore, Ben Moxham, Shea O’Brien, Aaron Sexton, Dave Shanahan, Harry Sheridan, Nick Timoney