Despite a spirited first-half showing that saw them take a commanding lead, a powerful second-half comeback from Munster, fuelled by their bench, ultimately proved decisive.
The match exploded into life from the very first whistle. Ulster didn’t get off to the best of starts. A missed claim of the ball handed Munster prime possession, and their forward pack capitalised immediately, with hard carries setting the platform for blindside flanker Daniel Ward to crash over in the corner. Centre Sean O’Regan was unable to add the conversion from a tight angle, leaving the score at 5-0.
Ulster showed great character to respond and did so with a period of sustained pressure on the Munster try line. Following a series of powerful pick-and-goes, tighthead prop Joel Irwin showed immense determination to smash his way over, much to the delight of the home crowd. The successful conversion from out-half Jonnie Kennedy nudged Ulster into the lead at 7-5.
The lead, however, was short-lived. Just two minutes later, Munster forced a penalty from a lineout maul, which O’Regan calmly slotted over to regain the lead for the visitors.
Ulster dominated territory and possession for the remainder of the half, but their clinical edge was lacking. A number of promising attacks ended without points, a recurring theme throughout the half.
Flanker Austin Adair was a constant threat with his strong ball carrying, and it was one of his powerful runs that led to a crucial moment. As he offloaded in the Munster 22, O’Regan was penalised for a tackle on the receiver without the ball, earning him a yellow card. Ulster immediately made their numerical advantage count. Munster attempted to run the ball out of their own 22 but fumbled it forward. From the resulting scrum, Ulster executed a textbook training-ground move, creating space for winger Lorcan McLarnon to go over unopposed under the posts. Kennedy’s easy conversion gave the home side a 14-8 lead at the interval.
HT: Ulster 14 – 8 Munster
Munster started the second half with renewed purpose and regained the lead within five minutes. Ward again was at the heart of the attack, carrying deep into the 22 to create space for a perfectly-weighted crossfield kick. Winger Darragh Carroll showed great skill to gather the ball and dot down in the corner. O’Regan added the difficult conversion, putting Munster back in front. The visitors' replacements began to make a significant impact on the game's momentum. Munster replacement backrow Alex Reddin was a force, and on 55 minutes, he barged over from close range. O’Regan's conversion extended the lead to 22-14.
Ulster refused to capitulate and gave themselves a lifeline with a try from scrum-half Sam Harper. A deep kick into the Munster half put the defence under pressure, and a spilled pass allowed Ulster to pounce, with Harper scoring from close range. Unfortunately, the pivot was unable to convert his own try, leaving the score at 22-19.
The home side thought they had sealed a dramatic comeback when full-back Alfie Clarke went under the posts, but the referee disallowed the try for a knock-on in the build-up.
Munster then sealed the victory in the closing stages, with replacement hooker William Hanley scoring an unconverted try from a driving maul to bring the final score to 27-19.
Scorers
Ulster
Tries: Irwin, McLarnon, Harper
Conversion: Kennedy (2)
Munster
Tries: Ward, Carroll, Reddin, Hanley
Conversion: O'Regan (2)
Penalty: O'Regan
Teams
Ulster
15 Alfie Clarke (Dromore High/Dromore RFC), 14 Luke McMillan (Coleraine GS/Ballymoney RFC), 13 Joe Coates (Coleraine GS/Coleraine RFC), 12 Ryan Hamilton (VC) (RS Armagh/ Dungannon RFC), 11 Lorcan McLarnon (Rainey Endowed/ Rainey RFC), 10 Jonnie Kennedy (Larne GS/Larne RFC), 9 Sam Harper (VC) (Omagh Academy/Omagh Accies RFC), 8 Caiden Slaughter (Carrick RFC), 7 Harry Dougan (RS Armagh/City of Armagh RFC), 6 Austin Adair (Ballyclare HS/ Academy RFC), 5 Tyrese Dunlop (Ballymena RFC), 4 Alfie Lucy (Enniskillen RGS/ Enniskillen RFC), 3 Joel Irwin (Friends' School/ Lisburn RFC), 2 Josh McColgan (Ballyclare HS/Academy RFC), 1 Elias Agbonkpolor (Belfast Royal Academy/ Academy RFC)
Replacements
16 Ashton Hassard (Omagh Academy/ Strabane RFC), 17 Noah Carson (Ballymena RFC), 18 Dylan Byrne (Dungannon RFC), 19 James Lennon (Virginia RFC), 20 Fynn Niblock (Banbridge Academy/ Banbridge RFC), 21 Ben Todd (Coleraine GS/ Coleraine RFC), 22 Scott Henderson (Friends' School/ Ballynahinch), 23 Lewis McIvor (Omagh Academy/ Omagh Accies RFC)
Munster
15 Dave Sargent (Tralee RFC), 14 Darragh Carroll (Mallow RFC), 13 Cillian O’Flynn (Bandon RFC), 12 Sean O’Regan (Old Christians RFC), 11 Diarmuid Gleeson (Nenagh Ormond RFC), 10 Davyn Maher (Old Christians RFC), 9 Edward Breen (Waterpark RFC), 8 Michael Griffin (Castleisland RFC), 7 Alan Phelan (Waterford City RFC), 6 Daniel Ward (Bantry Bay RFC), 5 Alex Ryan (Clanwilliam FC), 4 Daniel Moloney (Ennis RFC), 3 Jonathan Tutty (Dungarvan RFC), 2 Calum Tutty (Dungarvan RFC) (C), 1 Dara O’Brien (Newcastle West RFC)
Replacements
16 William Hanley (Fermoy RFC), 17 Patrick O’Connor (Kilfeacle & District RFC), 18 Ronan Maher (Nenagh Ormond RFC), 19 PJ Walsh (Clonmel RFC), 20 Alex Reddin (Waterpark RFC), 21 Devyn Duggan (St. Senans RFC), 22 Ewan Knowles (Clonakilty RFC), 23 Liam Kelleher (Old Christians RFC), 24 Rueben O’Riordan (Youghal RFC), 25 Conor Cogan (Highfield RFC)
