Munster sealed a last gasp victory over Interpro rivals Ulster, with a hat-trick from Tom Farrell.

A physical and turgid first forty for both sides, there were multiple errors and penalties. The first half was punctuated by a red card from Ulster’s try scorer Tom O’Toole just after an unconverted Tom Farrell try for Munster.

Action and excitement came in droves in the second half. Munster showed character and fight to come out with a bonus point win at the death, despite two Ulster tries. Shane Daly scored in the corner with Tom Farrell snatching a hat-trick.

Next up Munster will take on Leinster at Thomond Park on Friday, December 27, a fixture which is now sold out. The next home game with available tickets is Round 3 of the Investec Champions Cup against Saracens, Saturday, January 11. Buy tickets here.

Ulster started by dominating possession, driving deep into Munster territory. They won a penalty at the five-metre line, opting for the lineout. They got within range on several occasions, and finally exploited a gap through a sea of Munster defenders, with Tom O’Toole earning his sides first try. John Cooney, recently returned from injury, converted and the home side led after 10 minutes, 7-0.

Ulster began to look dangerous once again, after a series of errors from both sides. Richie Murphy’s men had numerous opportunities to get over the line as they pressed hard, but Munster’s defence held steadfast, until the visitors gained a turnover from a croc roll on John Hodnett.

Munster produced their best attacking play of the first half just before the thirty-minute mark. Slick handling from Jack Crowley and Shane Daly sent Farrell over for Munster’s first try. The centre who is in superb form this season darted down the left wing, and despite being tackled before the line, used his momentum to get over. The conversion was missed leaving the score 7-5.

Ulster’s tighthead prop and try scorer O’Toole received a red card for an illegal clear out on Alex Nankivell with just under 10 minutes to half-time.

Half-time: 7-5

Munster brought a higher tempo in the second forty. Daly and Mike Haley combined well out wide on the right with the latter eating up the ground before he was eventually stopped. Farrell got his second try of the game after Mike Haley’s counterattack, offloading to the outside centre enabling him to sail over. The conversion went wide but Munster took the lead, 7-10.

Ulster responded almost immediately with dangerous pressure from their mauls, but two tries were called as held up and verified by the TMO. Ulster went on the attack building the phases, but play was halted as Rory Scannell was sin-binned with a yellow card, both sides down to fourteen men.

Ulster’s patience was rewarded as Harry Sheridan made an impact getting a try off the bench. Cooney missed the penalty, but the hosts retook the leave with fifteen minutes to go, 12-10.

Within two minutes Munster got a spectacular third try. Brian Gleeson put Calvin Nash into space, the ball was spun wide to Farrell and then Daly used his pace for a clinical finish. No conversion but Munster held a three-point lead, 12-15.

Ulster won a penalty and opted for the corner. Evan O’Connell stole the ball from the lineout, with Tom Farrell breaking 80 metres but Ulster got back to clear. The home side brought energy and pace, scoring with five minutes left on the clock. John Cooney slotted the ball through the posts, 19-15.

There was an incredible response from Munster as Tom Farrell got his third try with two minutes to go. Nash found the pass in the tackle creating the space, allowing the centre to get the score. Jack Crowley converted to clinch Munster a bonus point win at the death.

Full-time: 19-22

Munster: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell (Rory Scannell ’34), Shane Daly; Jack Crowley, Paddy Patterson (Ethan Coughlan ’45, Paddy Patterson ’66); John Ryan (Dave Kilcoyne ’49, John Ryan ’68), Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer (Oli Jager ’49); Tom Ahern, Fineen Wycherley (Brian Gleeson ’61); Jack O’Donoghue (C) (Evan O’Connell ’49), John Hodnett (Alex Kendellen ’55), Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Eoghan Clarke, Dave Kilcoyne, Oli Jager, Evan O’Connell, Alex Kendellen, Ethan Coughlan, Rory Scannell, Brian Gleeson.

Ulster URC Round 8 Round-up

Tom Farrell scored a hat-trick for the province.