Ultimately, it was a brace of tries within the space of three minutes from wing Simon Danielli as early as the close of the opening quarter, that decided this Magners League clash at Ravenhill in Ulster’s favour

Trailing 15-0 and with the partisan home crowd baying their willingness to stand up for the Ulstermen, Munster looked in dire straits. To their great credit they refused to panic, ended the half just five points in arrears and dominated the second half to such a degree that had they snatched victory, a full strength Ulster side could have had no complaints. That they didn’t owes much to a resolute Ulster defence a few 50/50 decisions and perhaps a small lack of patience at times as Munster drove forward.

Munster enjoyed much the better of the opening exchanges with Damian Varley, Donnacha Ryan, Niall Ronan and skipper Mick O’Driscoll all showing well, driving deep into Ulster territory. An Andrew Trimble tackle on O’Driscoll – moments after he’s snaffled Ian Dowling – prevented a certain try under the Ulster posts.

When James Coughlan was pinged in the 9th minute for coming in from the side, the bearded Ian Humphreys kicked Ulster in front.

That score was to signal Ulster best period of the game and although it lasted all of eleven minutes or so they emerged with a further 12 points and what looked a commanding lead.

The first score came when Paddy Wallace blocked a Paul Warwick chip and the ball deflected kindly to give the Scottish winger a free run to the line.

Humphreys converted and from the restart Danielli was away again, Trimble this time making the initial incursion and working his hands free to release Danielli once again.

Warwick was short with a long-range 25th minute penalty but shortly after Couglan’s electrifying burst had Munster peppering the Munster line but from a five metre line-out after a good O’Driscoll take, Munster conceded the penalty allowing Ulster to clear their lines.

The pressure finally paid off when Humphreys threw a sloppy pass back that Jean de Villiers’ snaffled to score at the posts. Warwick added the conversion and just before the break added a penalty to put Munster right back into it.

That was however to be the final score of the game. All the threat came from Munster in the second half. The nearest they came when Warwick’s penalty came back off an upright and from the resultant scrum after an Ulster knock on, Coughlan made good ground off the back but his pass was fumbled.

Munster: D Hurley; D Howlett, L Mafi, J De Villiers, I Dowling; P Warwick, P Stringer; W Du Preez, D Varley, T Buckley (S Archer 70 mins); D Ryan, M O’Driscoll (capt); B Holland, N Ronan (T O’Donnell 25 mins), J Coughlan (P O’Mahony 70 mins). Replacements not used: M Sherry, D Williams, S Deasy, T Gleeson.

Ulster: J Smith; A Trimble, I Whitten, P Wallace, S Danielli; I Humphreys, I Boss; T Court, N Brady, BJ Botha; E O’Donoghue, D Tuohy; S Ferris, W Faloon, C Henry (capt). Replacements: A Kyriacou, D Fitzpatrick, R Caldwell, T Anderson, C Willis, N O’Connor, T Nagusa.

Referee: D Phillips (Leinster).