The match began with Munster gaining an early lead when a penalty was slotted over by their full-back Daniel Murphy, making it 0-3. Ulster's response was almost immediate, with fullback James McMillan making a brilliant run from outside the 22, only to be stopped just short of the try line.
The home side piled on the pressure, with a strong run from number 8 George Gamble and a clean lineout take from Jayden Irwin putting Munster on the back foot. The pressure finally told in the 10th minute when Gamble offloaded to James Wells, who powered over the line for the opening try. McMillan’s conversion put Ulster ahead 7-3.
The lead was short-lived, as Munster winger Najim Jagena intercepted an Ulster pass and raced away to score. Murphy added the conversion, regaining the lead for Munster at 7-10. Ulster's response was swift, with lock Archie Graham dotting down after a period of immense pressure, despite having four Munster players on him. McMillan’s conversion made it 14-10. Munster quickly hit back, with centre Ryan McCormack looking to score before a penalty was given. They opted for a lineout, and Rian McFarlane O'Shea scored from the resulting maul. Murphy’s conversion made it 14-17.
Ulster's forwards continued their dominance, and a strong maul led to hooker Charlie Reaney scoring, with McMillan converting to give Ulster a 21-17 lead. Despite continued pressure from Munster, particularly through strong carries from Cathal O’Doherty and a late push from Alex Moloney, a penalty against Ulster allowed Murphy to narrow the gap to 21-20 just before halftime.
HT: Ulster 21 - 20 Munster
The second half began with both teams locked in a physical midfield battle, with neither side able to make significant ground. Excellent defence from George Gamble and Josh McCaughey for Ulster, and from Michael Landers for Munster, kept the game at a deadlock. A great attacking run from Ulster flanker James Reid sparked some life into the game.
The breakthrough finally came in the 59th minute when a 5-metre lineout gave Ulster the platform they needed. Oliver Gartley broke the deadlock with a powerful maul try, which McMillan converted to give Ulster some breathing room at 28-20. Munster responded with a penalty from Murphy to make it 28-23, but Ulster sealed the win with a try from James McMillan, who also added the conversion, bringing the final score to 35-23. Despite a final surge from Munster, Ulster’s composure and tactical awareness allowed them to see out the game and walk away with a well-earned victory.
Scorers
Ulster
Tries: Wells, Graham, Reaney, Gartley, McMillan
Conversion: McMillan (5)
Munster
Tries: Jagena, McFarlane O'Shea
Conversion: Murphy (2)
Penalty: Murphy (2)
Teams
Ulster
15 James McMillan (Coleraine GS), 14 Isaac Hatch (Campbell College Belfast), 13 Nathan Hamilton (RS Armagh), 12 Connor Patton (RBAI), 11 Dylan Gray (RBAI), 10 Josh McCaughey (Down HS), 9 James Wells (CCB), 8 George Gamble (Enniskillen RGS), 7 Cian McClean (RBAI) ©, 6 James Reid (Methodist College Belfast), 5 Jayden Irwin (BRA), 4 Archie Graham (Dalriada), 3 Lewis Robinson (Regent House), 2 Charlie Reaney (RS Armagh), 1 Alex Stinson (RS Armagh)
Replacements
16 David Nelson (Campbell College Belfast), 17 Reuben McIlwrath (RBAI), 18 Jonah Woolley (Antrim GS), 19 Harry Doherty (MCB), 20 Oliver Gartley (Methodist College Belfast), 21 Jack Best (Campbell College Belfast), 22 Ollie Taylor (RBAI), 23 Harry Wells (CCB)
Munster
15 Daniel Murphy (PBC), 14 Najim Jagena (Ardscoil Rís), 13 Alex Moloney (PBC), 12 Ryan McCormack (Ardscoil Rís) ©, 11 Eddie Dooley (PBC), 10 David Nolan (PBC), 9 Lewis Lenihan (Bandon Grammar), 8 Xabi Scanlon (Castleroy College), 7 Cathal O’Doherty (Ardscoil Rís), 6 Rian McFarlane O’Shea (PBC), 5 Tom Murray (PBC), 4 Ben O’Connell (Castleroy College), 3 Sean Fitzpatrick (CBC), 2 Michael Landers (St Munchins College), 1 Caden Smith (Glenstal Abbey)
Replacements
16 Kevin Griffin (Castleroy College), 17 Jack Deasy (Banon Grammar), 18 Conor Dillon (St Munchins College), 19 Conor McLoughlin (PBC), 20 Sam Healy (CBC), 21 Liam O’Brien (PBC), 22 Alan Cleary (CCC), 23 Harry O’Halloran (CCC), 24 Brian O’Loughlin (Ardscoil Rís), 25 Bobby Meagher (St Munchins College), 26 Sam Barry (Bandon Grammar)
