The match started with high intensity, with Ulster flankers Paddy Woods and Noah Bell making big hits in the opening minutes. Skipper Owen O’Kane made a promising break, but Munster’s defence held firm, forcing a turnover.
Ulster's lineout was strong early on, with hooker Charlie Hargy making key tackles. After a period of pressure, winger Rus Lovo showed some fancy footwork, but the ball was intercepted by Munster's winger Gerry Joyce.
Ulster were able to regain possession from the scrappy play that followed. A good kick from O’Kane put Ulster in a strong attacking position, and a scrum just outside the Munster 22 provided an excellent platform. Despite strong carries from number 8 Sam Clarke and Noah Bell, a handling error cost Ulster a scoring opportunity.
Munster got on the scoreboard first in the 17th minute when their winger Bobby O’Callaghan intercepted a loose ball and sprinted in for an unconverted try, making it 0-5.
Ulster responded swiftly, with Charlie Hardy making a great break that put them deep in Munster's territory. Their pressure paid off in the 22nd minute when Rus Lovo scored a try after a good carry from Matthew Callaghan. The conversion went wide, leaving the score at 5-5.
Lovo was outstanding on defence as well, knocking a Munster player into touch to prevent a certain try. However, Munster's persistence was rewarded just before halftime when flanker Cillian McNamara scored. The conversion from Rory Forde gave Munster a 12-5 lead at the break.
HT: Ulster 5 - 12 Munster
The second half was a scrappy affair, with both teams making silly mistakes and conceding numerous penalties. The deadlock was finally broken in the 44th minute when Munster's Forde slotted a penalty, extending the lead to 15-5.
The intensity of the game took its toll, with Munster number 8 Charlie Bramley receiving a yellow card in the 58th minute. Ulster capitalised on the numerical advantage immediately, with Angus Graham scoring a try right in front of the posts, which Owen O'Kane converted, bringing the score to 12-15.
Despite the momentum shift, Munster responded with a penalty from Forde, and their lock David Mac Coitir sealed the victory with a converted try in the 66th minute, bringing the score to 25-12. Ulster continued to fight, but a late interception from Munster's Daniel Coughlan ended their final attacking effort as the full-time whistle blew.
Scorers
Ulster
Tries: Lovo, Graham
Conversion: O'Kane
Munster
Tries: O'Callaghan, McNamara, Mac Coitir
Conversion: Forde (2)
Penalty: Forde (2)
Teams
Ulster
15 James Murray (BRA), 14 Russell Lovo (Campbell College Belfast), 13 Max Readman (Sullivan Upper School), 12 Callum Largey (Methodist College Belfast), 11 Matthew Callaghan (Regent House GS), 10 Owen O'Kane (C) (Rainey Endowed GS), 9 Fergus Callington (IQ Rugby), 8 Sam Clarke (Enniskillen RGS), 7 Dylan Fox (Malone RFC), 6 Noah Bell (Banbridge Academy), 5 Paddy Woods (Campbell College Belfast)4 Ranaan Potter (Campbell College Belfast), 3 Angus Graham (Dalriada), 2 Charlie Hargy (Ballymena Academy), 1 Matthew Wright (Ballymena Academy)
Replacements
16 Michael McCavery (Wallace HS), 17 Luke Caskey (Rainey Endowed), 18 Don Farrell (Banbridge Academy). 19 Harry Lamont (Ballymena Academy), 20 Ryan McDowell (Larne GS), 21 Luke Gibson (RBAI), 22 Rueben Allen (Ballymena Academy), 23 Andrew Jackson (Banbridge Academy)
Munster
15 Keelan Dunne (Cistercian College Roscrea), 14 Bobby O’Callaghan (PBC), 13 Michael Kennedy (Bandon Grammar), 12 Rory Forde (Kinsale RFC), 11 Gerry Joyce (Crescent College Comprehensive), 10 Daniel Coughlan (Bandon RFC), 9 Aaron Moloney (Cistercian College Roscrea) (CC), 8 Charlie Bramley (Kilkenny College), 7 Cillian McNamara (Castletroy College), 6 Kedagh Broderick (Nenagh Ormond RFC) (CC), 5 Tom Shanahan (Crescent College Comprehensive), 4 David Mac Coitir (CBC), 3 David Geoghegan (St. Munchin’s College), 2 Zach Piper (Bandon Grammar), 1 Richie Whelan (Dungarvan RFC)
Replacements
16 Oscar Doody (Cistercian College Roscrea), 17 Tomás Crotty (Dungarvan RFC), 18 Soloman Delea (Cobh Pirates RFC), 19 Jack O’Callaghan (CBC), 20 Evan Welham (Cobh Pirates RFC), 21 Frankie Óg Sheahan (PBC), 22 James Brugger (Kinsale RFC), 23 Sean Roche (Glenstal Abbey)
