Scorer: Craig Gilroy
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Ulster progressed to a Heineken Cup semi-final date with Edinburgh at Aviva Stadium after beating Munster 22-16 at Thomond Park on Sunday.
After racing into a 19-0 lead thanks to a bright start, Ulster were made to sweat in the second-half but ultimately held on for a return to the city where they won their only European title in 1999.
Ian Humphreys endured a nightmare opening as three early tactical kicks from hand were decidedly shaky. Luckily for Ulster though, Ruan Pienaar was having no such trouble from distance off the tee with penalties on five and eleven minutes pushing the visitors into a 6-0 advantage.
Things were about to get a whole lot better for Brian McLaughlin's side too as a virtuoso try from Craig Gilroy saw the left wing bust three tackles before dotting down ten metres to the side of the uprights. It was a score that had an American Football feel to it as Gilroy opted not to use his support runners, who ended up in front of him in the act of scoring. Munster were shell-shocked and looking in real danger of having no way back.
Ulster had won their previous meeting this term with a bonus-point against a weakened Munster side but with all of their Ireland internationals unavailable for that RaboDirect PRO12 clash, it was expected to be a closer game despite Munster entering off a loss.
The 16th man were desperate for something to cling to going into half-time and when a concerted period of pressure was applied on the Ulster line, it looked like they would finally trouble the scorers. But gritty and intelligent defence thwarted the hosts and it was in fact they who would be next on the board when territory returned to the side in white just after the half-hour mark. They took their chance via a Humphreys drop that made the score 19-0.
Was there a way back for the two-time champions? They did have a few moments in that aforementioned passage that would build encouragement while it was clear that Ulster would struggle to keep up their ruthless effort in defence. And so it proved to be as an overlap was finally created on the left wing and Simon Zebo duly cashed in close to the touchline, with Ronan O'Gara adding the conversion. Hope for the Limerick faithful.
19-7 then became 19-10 courtesy of a 40th minute penalty from O'Gara with the final kick of the half from 46 metres out into the teeth of a strong wind. What gave Munster extra hope of continuing their revival after the break would be the fact that Chris Henry was in the sin-bin.
Munster returned looking for territory via the boot of O'Gara as he probed for the corners against the fourteen men. However, they struggled to apply sustained pressure as a lack of ideas meant only three points from a penalty were posted as Henry returned to the action.
What was apparent as O'Gara continued to use his knowledge of every blade of grass at Thomond Park was that the momentum had completely shifted into Munster's hands, with coach Tony McGahan having serious impact to come from the bench should he choose to use it. His first call was to Johne Murphy before Donncha O'Callaghan emerged for Tommy O'Donnell just as Pienaar nailed three critical points from the tee that made it 22-13.
The nine-point advantage did not last long at all though as a minute later O'Gara replied after Stephen Ferris, declared fit after being a worry in midweek, took a Munster player high in contact. It was meat and drink for O'Gara ahead of what was a nerve-wracking finish.
Ulster did have the chance to put the game to bed in minute 74 and 76 when Humphreys struck a drop-goal that shaved the post and then Pienaar missed a penalty from 45 metres. But they managed to hold on and book a semi-final clash with Edinburgh in Dublin.
Man-of-the-match: Shrugging off an injury he picked up against Aironi last week, Stephen Ferris was a rock for Ulster. His work did not dip from Romain Poite's first to last whistle.
The scorers:
For Munster:
Tries: Zebo
Con: O'Gara
Pen: O'Gara 3
For Ulster:
Tries: Gilroy
Con: Pienaar
Pen: Pienaar 4
Drop: Pienaar
Munster: 15 Felix Jones, 14 Denis Hurley, 13 Keith Earls, 12 Lifeimi Mafi, 11 Simon Zebo, 10 Ronan O'Gara, 9 Conor Murray, 8 James Coughlan, 7 Tommy O'Donnell, 6 Peter O'Mahony, 5 Paul O'Connell, 4 Donnacha Ryan, 3 BJ Botha, 2 Mike Sherry, 1 Wian du Preez.
Replacements: 16 Damien Varley, 17 Marcus Horan, 18 Stephen Archer, 19 Donncha O'Callaghan, 20 David Wallace, 21 Tomas O'Leary, 22 Ian Keatley, 23 Johne Murphy.
Ulster: 15 Stefan Terblanche, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Paddy Wallace, 11 Craig Gilroy, 10 Ian Humphreys, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Pedrie Wannenburg, 7 Chris Henry, 6 Stephen Ferris, 5 Dan Tuohy, 4 Johann Muller (capt), 3 John Afoa, 2 Rory Best, 1 Tom Court.
Replacements: 16 Nigel Brady, 17 Paddy McAllister, 18 Adam Macklin, 19 Lewis Stevenson, 20 Willie Faloon, 21 Paul Marshall, 22 Nevin Spence, 23 Adam D'Arcy.
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
Assistant referees: Jérôme Garces (France), Matthieu Raynal (France)
By Adam Kyriacou
Comments
MunsterRedArmy says...
Only commenting about the tackle: check the video and get the facts right, he was lifted from both of his feet and speared down to the ground head first, if thats not a dangerous tackle I dont know what is. Do not speak from your memory, just watch the video, also check the ''Brian O'Driscoll Spear Tackle Lions Vs New Zealand'' where BOD himself explains whats a spear tackle, exactly that happened in the Munster : Ulster game.
Ulster has all my support in the next game!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature
=player_embedded&v=NfO2jjNivyU
Posted 22:50 10th April 2012
makemehappy says...
@Stag91 - personally I think it should be classified as a good tackle. Sadly for Ulster the rules and the video evidence clearly confirm it is a tip tackle (a pretty bad one based on the rules and evidence). The officials messed up big time and it should have been a red card.
Moving on to your rather ridiculous penultimate post, despite me indicating that I'm a neutral, you now (is it drink, or an inability to read) think I'm a Munster fan. I'm Welsh, and have given Munster a slating over the years on here for cheating at the breakdown.
You have failed miserably to note that I stated that their defensive effort was excellent. Just read (presuming you can).
As for your point a) - which straws have been clutched at? It is my opinion, and probably that of many others, that a team who struggles for practically all the game, to get out of their half, usually lose. Do you have information to the contrary.
Point b) - I simply thought Munster were the better team, based on the above, and the fact that Afoa should have been red carded, meant that they should have won.
Now don't get on your high horse, I have made you look rather stupid with this posting, but just be happy that Ulster are on their way to the semi final. Good luck to them there (minus Afoa, who has no chance of playing, unless the often insane citing panel, come up with a barking mad decision again).
Posted 20:14 10th April 2012
Stag91 says...
Appears I have to withdraw the end of my last comment re: citing. Still a farce, just a physical dominant tackle
Posted 16:25 10th April 2012
Stag91 says...
makemehappy - you have totally undervalued the Ulster effort, I'm guessing you're a munster fan from a) your fervent clutching at straws and b) your assertion that Munster did anything that deserved to win them the match. Only Mafi looked dangerous with ball in hand; there's only so far 10 man rugby can get you and I think Munster are now starting to pay the price for a lack of alternative in their game.
Haha you make me laugh with your belief that this is a cast iron red, there has been no mention of this after the game, no citing so I don't see how if it was such a blatant red card nothing has been done about it? It's becoming a game where people are afraid of dominant tackles, never in a million years is it a red card. Munster lost, Ulster deservedly won; I think its time you got to grips with that
Posted 12:25 10th April 2012
Quinners says...
Good game and great result Munster always seem to grind out wins great I guess if you are from there but doubt they have much neutrals support. Edinburgh Ulster should be a good match. I think Ulster will fancy their chances againster Eburgh but a fully fit Edinburgh side are more dangerous than their poor league record suggests. They have little depth but the first team on form can def win this game. Can't wait.
Posted 23:27 09th April 2012
damo says...
The main thing is two Irish provinces served up a great game, O'Connell was mighty, but For Ulster it was a Kiwi, a hand full of South Africans' along with some superd young Irish players including Gilroy/Ferris/Touhy add in Nevin Spence is top class as is Cave and you have some players for dopey Declan to overlook in the Irish set up.
One final point and that is Humpheries is a dam good player and I am fed up of dopes discounting his abilities this is the 10 who made an individual break vs Clermont to go over in the corner to beat the french side and his ability should not be questioned, why he isn't even a wolfhound is strange to me, picking Keately a sub 10 with Munster is not right
Posted 22:07 09th April 2012
makemehappy says...
@griffi60 - So you don't remember a blatant tip tackle after a knock on by Munster???? The officials did miss it, but nobody on TV or at home could have! If you can't see the first half was amazing, in that Munster were all over Ulster, yet the scoreboard suggested otherwise I'm amazed (bias I think it is called). Well done for winning, but you were severly under the cosh, and lucky to have many of the penalties that were kicked. Outstanding kicking by Pienaar - you took all your chances, but it was still amazing that you were even in the game by half time, let alone winning it.
@Stag91 - look again - it was clearly over the horizontal.I've looked at it several times, and its a clear penalty, and a clear red card.I haven't devalued their defensive effort - it was excellent
Both of you look again at http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=NfO2jjNivyU - think you will have to admit it is a red after looking again. absolutely cast iron red!
Posted 18:48 09th April 2012
griffi60 says...
makemehappy, I'm not even sure what you are talking about in terms of Afoa, I was at the game and don't remember anything he should have been sent off for, nor has it been shown in any highlights or mentioned in any report.
Oh you mean the 30 mins when we scored 19 unanswered points? You're right we were well truly under the cosh then! And I most certainly am laughing, all the way to Dublin where I'm sure the support and the atmosphere will yet again be excellent! SUFTUM!!
Posted 17:02 09th April 2012
Stag91 says...
Can we please keep a bit of objectivity here? makemehappy has totally undervalued the effort Ulster put in defensively, and suggests Munster deserve to win the match? With ball in hand Munster were slow and predictable, with Felix Jones even walking in to contact at one point, I can't honestly see how they did enough to win the match they shot themselves in the foot with far too many errors, and on the day Ulster took their chances and therefore were deserving victors, no?
And as for the Afoa incident, he didn't tip him beyond the horizontal nor did he drop him, in fact he went down to ground with him. Jones (I think) didn't land on his neck or upper back, therefore I can't honestly see where the red/yellow card should have been.
Posted 11:50 09th April 2012
makemehappy says...
@griffi60 - Ulster hardly got out of their half for that period you suggest was a battering - hahahaha. Very one eyed comments. I'm a neutral, and by the use of the term 'we', you are obviously not. I note you forgot to address the non red card that Afoa should have been shown, which would obviously have given Munster the match. Doubt you are laughing now!
Posted 08:29 09th April 2012
Ramage says...
Oh how the mighty have fallen now only Connaght below them.
Posted 04:57 09th April 2012
Hermes says...
Why didn't he make a decision on the scrum and award a penalty of someone was taking it down? All he did was free kick the team in possession which is a cop out on his part. What were free kicks for?
Posted 00:42 09th April 2012
damo says...
Poite, let me see with 14 minutes to go inside the Ulster 22 they mauled the ball and the maul was brought down after 5 yards movement, Penalty yes, if you actually look at it in his line of sight Tom Court brought the maul down but instead of Munster potentially getting a scrum 10 yards out Ulster got a pen, the ref is a joke but that just means he is a tier 1 ref as they are all pretty much jokes, Better team won.
Declan Kidney was watching the game lets see if he can learn that the young guns like Zebo/Gilroy/Spence/O'Mahony/Tuohy are better than Darcy/O'Callaghan and add to that what the IRFU are doing not giving Luke Fitz the cash while they gave Darcy his wedge come on hand over the money and let Luke show you how much better he is than Darcy you clowns
Posted 00:20 09th April 2012
ulsterboy says...
Well done Ulster. 160 tackles to 60 tackles shows how hard the Ulster defensive line worked. Ulster fans were superb as was the thomond park atmosphere. Suftum
Posted 23:19 08th April 2012
griffi60 says...
To makemehappy, hahahahahahaha!! What are you on about? We absolutely battered you in the first 30 minutes and our defence was then awesome until the end, we completely deserved to win that game. It was so sweet to be down in Thomond Park to witness it, Red Army my arse!
Posted 23:01 08th April 2012
athenrylad says...
I think previous speakers are been unfair to Mr Poite. He has a job to do. He was quick to Free kick at scrum if the 2nd went down. We did not want a repeat of the Munster Leinster Pro 12 scrum fest.
Posted 21:10 08th April 2012
yelloj321 says...
Well done Ulster, totally deserved the win. Hope you make it to the final, and then lose, to Leinster :)
Posted 20:59 08th April 2012
makemehappy says...
What an odd game. Munster completely outplayed Ulster, but lost. Of course Afoa had to be sent off, and then they would have won easily. Nobody, not even the most biased Ulster supporter, could think they even came close to deserving to win that game.
Posted 20:22 08th April 2012
carpelone says...
This made my day.
Posted 19:06 08th April 2012
Forward_pass says...
All in, a good result for Irish rugby which now has 3 top class teams and a day when written in the stars that ulster would win.
Surprised people moaning bout ref, he didn't do ulster many favours either - yellow card was harsh, and there was a fwd pass in the munster try which he missed.
Posted 18:55 08th April 2012