Ulster 19 – 22 Munster (HT: 7-5)
In-form centre Tom Farrell was the saviour of Munster’s night on Friday as they snatched a 22-19 victory over Ulster in Belfast. The summer signing dotted down for three tries of his own, including a game-winner with the last play of the game to help Ian Costello’s men secure a first five-pointer in Ravenhill since the league’s inception in 2001.
Despite the climactic ending, it was far from a thriller. Ulster looked to have grabbed a win through James McNabney, despite going down to fourteen men following the dismissal of Tom O’Toole; but instead, the spoils went the way of the visitors. It was a game with seven tries and six lead changes, yet neither side lacked precision and killer instinct until eventually the clock was what helped separate them.
It was the home side who made the better start of affairs. The aforementioned O’Toole opened up the scoring with a try from close range after just seven minutes. After sustained pressure in the opposing 22, the broad prop burrowed over from close range. John Cooney added over the extras from under the posts and the home side were off to a perfect start.
That said, the opening forty lacked scores, and it lacked the end product. Ulster had 86% of possession in Munster’s half but failed to capitalise against an astute Munster defence which racked up over 300 tackles on the night.
Munster got their opening try before the half hour mark as Farrell got his first. Jack Crowley expertly took the attack to Ulster’s defensive line before savvy handling skills from Mike Haley and Shane Daly created the opportunity. Farrell, with two Ulster defenders still to beat, ran a strong support line off Daly’s outside shoulder and powered past Kok and McCloskey for an expertly taken score. Crowley missed the conversion attempt on a difficult night for him, before the game’s first major moment was to come.
For those who tuned in, the red card to Tom O’Toole could be described as anything from harsh to game changing. The Irish international tighthead prop was adjudged to have committed a croc roll clear-out on Munster centre Alex Nankivell, who was injured in the incident. Injuries were another commonality of the opening exchanges with Ulster duo Zac Ward and Stuart McCloskey also forced off before the clock struck 40.
Like in the first half, we didn’t have to wait long for the opening try of the second period. Again, it was Tom Farrell, and somehow it was an even better score. Mike Haley started proceedings with a gliding counter attacking run to get Munster up field. The full back would get another touch after a pinpoint cross kick from Crowley was fielded by Tom Farrell who played it back to Haley. The one-two reverse saw Haley offload from the floor to the onrushing Farrell who raced past Mike Lowry and Kieran Treadwell for an excellent score.
Haley’s work at the start of the attack and to slice open the Ulster defence on the trail line was key, but it was his exquisite offload that will get the plaudits. Farrell did the easy part by running clear, and although Crowley was again off target with the conversion, Munster regained the lead.
Ulster continued to pluck away at Munster but to no avail. In fact, they made hard work of their next score, despite Munster going down to fourteen. Rory Scannell tackled out-half Aidan Morgan without the ball in an easy decision for referee Ben Whitehouse. Gavin Coombes, who racked up a whopping 34 tackles in this game, had a crucial intervention as he managed to hold up Marcus Rea over the Munster line just after. However, as Scott Wilson burst free on one of his many powerful carries, it was substitution lock Harry Sheridan who would touch down on the next phase for another go ahead score.
Munster would again hit right back, this time through winger Shane Daly. Young number eight Brian Gleeson acted as the midfield pivot, feigning a tight carry before pirouetting and offloading to Calvin Nash. The Limerick born winger burst around the shoulder of the Ulster defence, and although Jude Postlethwaite made an impressive tackle, Nash got his hands free. Like Haley earlier he managed to fire an offload to Tom Farrell from the floor who released Daly. The Cork Con man accelerated, shimmied and later waltzed in for what felt like the game winning score. However, still there was time for more.
With just a mere five minutes left on the clock, Ulster would get a third try, and third forwards orchestrated try. James McNabney, the 21-year-old blindside flanker fought his way over for what felt like the game winner, again benefitting from a Scott Wilson carry. The Ballymena man looked like a player ten years his senior and looked like the one who would get the defining score. However, still there was time for more.
Munster found themselves in the same position they were in last Friday in France. Down by a score, needing a try in the last four minutes while taking possession in their own half. This time, that hammer blow would come, and it would be a hat trick man who would be the hero. Mike Haley caught John Cooney’s clearing box kick on midfield with just 2 minutes and 22 seconds left, and Farrell scored 53 seconds later.
Haley flung a pass inside to Jack Crowley, and after attacking the tired and soft Ulster shoulders, he got Munster go forward momentum inside the Ulster 10 metre line. Mike Haley helped Munster creep towards the 22, before Farrell and Coombes got them there. Young Brian Gleeson shook off a would-be tackle from Harry Sheridan on the next phase, and Ulster were looking tired and narrow.
Jack Crowley, who started the attack less than a minute earlier, carried strong before throwing a screen pass to Calvin Nash, and from there it was about numbers. Like previously, Nash’s solo efforts were denied before he offloaded superbly, this time to Tom Ahern. The gigantic Waterford forward used his “go-go gadget” arms to get a pass away to Farrell, and the centre danced past Werner Kok and Harry Sheridan for a last-minute winner for the ages. Jack Crowley made no mistake with his fourth and final conversion attempt, but with the clock in the red, a famous away win had been secured.
After the game Munster’s interim head coach was happy to take the good with the bad. He said there were “loads to concern ourselves with around the performance to improve on, but loads to love about the character, the belief in the squad to score some cracking tries. Particularly that one at the end.” He went on to add that “there was some outstanding attacking rugby once we settled into our rhythm, and we’ll focus on that and enjoy that for 48 hours and then prepare for a pretty big one next week as well.”
This game won’t be described as an all-time classic that will stand the test of time, but it could be a massive differential in Munster’s season. A win in Ravenhill is always special but to do so at the death, just like they did at the same period of the title winning 2022/23 season, will surely stand to them. The waiting game over injuries to Alex Nankivell and Dave Kilcoyne will bring some Christmas sweats that are not turkey related; but there are positives aside from the result. Young guys like Ethan Coughlan and Brian Gleeson were instrumental late on, while Tom Farrell looks like the signing of the season across the league.
The full five-pointer on the table helps move Munster up to fifth in the log for the night at least, ahead of another interprovincial derby clash with Leinster this coming Friday.
Munster: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell (Rory Scannell, 33’), Shane Daly; Jack Crowley, Paddy Patterson (Ethan Coughlan, (HIA: 44’ – 56’) 66’) ; John Ryan (Dave Kilcoyne, 49’ (reversed, 68’)), Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer (Oli Jager, 49’); Tom Ahern, Fineen Wycherley (Brian Gleeson, 60’), Jack O’Donoghue (captain) (Evan O’Connell, 49’), John Hodnett (Alex Kendellen, 55’), Gavin Coombes.
Replacements not used: Eoghan Clarke
Tries: Tom Farrell (3), Shane Daly
Conversions: Jack Crowley 1/4
Yellow Cards: Rory Scannell 60’
Ulster: Michael Lowry; Werner Kok, Jude Postlethwaite, Stuart McCloskey (Jack Murphy, 38’), Zac Ward (Rory Telfer, 25’ (Scott Wilson, 34’)); Aidan Morgan, John Cooney; Andrew Warwick (Eric O’Sullivan, 63’), Rob Herring (John Andrew, 55’), Tom O’Toole; Alan O’Connor (captain), Kieran Treadwell (Harry Sheridan, 61’); James McNabney, Marcus Rea (Matty Rea, 66’), David McCann.
Replacements not used: Dave Shanahan
Tries: Tom O’Toole, Harry Sheridan, James McNabney
Conversions: John Cooney 1/3
Red Card: Tom O’Toole 31’
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)