Ulster Victory in Ravenhill

The try came when Munster led 18-16 and looked set for victory. However a controversal decision by referee Alan Lewis whereby he ignored a clear knock-on, on Ulster’s 22, resulted in a break out with Doak winning the kick and chase.

It was certainly a game of two halves with Ulster much the better side for most of the opening half. They raced into a deserved 16-0 lead all the scores, 2 penalties, a drop-goal, try and conversion from the impressive Paddy Wallace. Munster struck back with a try from Paul O’Connell and a Ronan O’Gara penalty to go in at the break trailing 18-6.

However it was a case of Munster dominance in the second half even though they played half that period with 14 men. Alan Quinlan was yellow carded in the 42nd minute and he was followed to the bin by Peter Clohessy in the 60th.

O’Gara had edged Munster closer with an early penalty and his touchline conversion of Peter Stringer’s 68th minute try had his side 18-16 in front until Doak, aided by Lewis – intervened to give Ulster a victory that on balance they just about deserved.

Ulster: B Cunningham, S Coulter, R Constable, S McDowell, T Howe, P Wallace, N Doak, J Fitzpatrick, M Sexton, S Best, P Johns, G Longwell, W Brosnihan, R Nelson, A Ward (Captain). Replacements: N Brady, B Young, A Kearney, A Hughes, K Campbell, J Cunningham, J Topping.

Munster: D Crotty; J Kelly, R Henderson, J Holland, A Horgan; R O’Gara, P Stringer; P Clohessy, F Sheahan, J Hayes, M Galwey (capt), P O’Connell, D O’Callaghan, A Quinlan, D Wallace. Replacements: M Horan, J Fogarty, M O’Driscoll, C McMahon, M Prendergast, M Mullins, J Staunton.

Referee: Alan Lewis (IRFU).