Munster’s season has come to an end after a disappointing 36-17 loss to Ulster in Belfast.
Munster’s scores came through two tries from Keith Earls and a solitary try from Jean Kleyn with Joey Carbery notching one conversion.
It was all Ulster in the opening 10 minutes as the home side dominated possession.
A penalty concession due to a high tackle from Fineen Wycherley saw Billy Burns kick the ball into touch for an Ulster lineout just over five metres from the Munster line.
The home side went through the phases and subsequently won a penalty due to Munster being offside. James Hume took the penalty quickly and the centre fired the ball out wide to John Cooney who crossed for the opening try of the game. The scrum-half added the extras to give Ulster a 7-0 lead.
Munster didn’t take long to hit back as a long clearing kick from Stuart McCloskey went dead which gave Munster a scrum on the Ulster 22. From the setpiece, Munster went through the phases and carried well which eventually saw Jean Kleyn crash over under the posts. Carbery’s conversion levelled the game at the midway point of the first half.
Some good attacking play from Munster again brought play just inches from the Ulster line but as the southern province spread the ball wide, Carbery was tackled by Robert Baloucoune and the out-half gave away a penalty for holding on.
It proved to be a pivotal moment in the first half, as Ulster went over for their second try soon after as a Baloucoune break saw Stewart Moore cross close to the posts. Cooney’s conversion put the home side into a 14-7 lead.
Ulster extended their lead to 19-7 with less than eight minutes remaining of the first half as Moore crossed for his second try in the corner despite a tackle from Keith Earls.
Munster had an attacking lineout at the end of the first half but a crooked throw gave Ulster a scrum and Cooney kicked the ball dead to signal the break.
Ulster extended their lead at the start of the second half when Nick Timoney crossed for a try after a break in midfield from Hume. Cooney’s conversion gave Ulster a 26-7 lead.
An excellent block down on Cooney from Gavin Coombes almost saw the Skibbereen man cross for a try but the ball went forward during his attempt to ground the ball.
Munster reduced the arrears on 52 minutes to 26-12 when Earls crossed in the corner but Carbery’s conversion attempt was wide of the posts.
Ulster made it 29-12 a few minutes later thanks to a penalty from Cooney.
A second try from Hume which was converted by Nathan Doak extended the home side’s lead to 36-12.
Entering the final 10 minutes, a good break and offload from Thomas Ahern released Jason Jenkins who was brought down deep in the Ulster 22.
Munster went through the phases where Earls was on hand to score his second try of the night. Carbery’s conversion hit the post as Ulster’s lead was reduced to 36-17.
That score remained until full-time as Munster’s season came to a disappointing end.
URC Quarter-Final Roundup
Stephen Archer rose to second in all-time appearances for Munster after earning his 248th cap tonight.
Thomas Ahern (hamstring) and Diarmuid Barron (elbow) departed in the second half and their injuries will be reviewed next week.
Munster: Mike Haley; Andrew Conway (Healy 45′), Chris Farrell, Damian de Allende, Keith Earls; Joey Carbery, Conor Murray (Casey 38′); Josh Wycherley (Loughman 49′), Niall Scannell (Barron 62′, Scannell 74′) Stephen Archer (Ryan 49′); Jean Kleyn (Jenkins 62′), Fineen Wycherley, Peter O’Mahony (C), Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes (Ahern 62′) (Cloete 71′).
Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, Jeremy Loughman, John Ryan, Jason Jenkins, Thomas Ahern, Craig Casey, Ben Healy, Chris Cloete.
