Munster locked up the top seeding for the URC playoffs by beating Ulster 29-24 at Thom*ond Park.
Here’s how the action unfolded.
Munster
29
:
24
Ulster
Brendan Graham
Graham Rowntree: "It was quite a journey. Ulster came out fighting and scored two tries early on through our individual errors. I'm proud of our lads, we got ourselves in a bit of a hole there but we got ourselves out of it so onwards and upwards.
"Half time was about staying calm and sticking to our plan. We did that and the bench made a huge impact but credit to Ulster. That was some game.
"We were quite brave at the end there and went to the corner and scored. We asre spolit with our support both away from home and at home. The more opportunities we get for our fans to see what we are doing the better."
Brendan Graham
Richie Murphy: "We are disappointed. We could have went on and won the game but Munster to their credit and testament to how good of a team they are they got themselves over the line. We stuck in that fight really well and I'm really happy with what the lads produced.
"We are becoming tough to play against which is really good for us. The changes all throughout shows the strength in the group and how the lads are coming together.
"We want to try and play a fifteen man game. We want to try and make sure we are playing on top of teams and on the counter.
"We know how difficult a quarter final will be against Leinster. A game in the Aviva will be a really good challenge and one we'll look forward to."
Brendan Graham
Tadhg Beirne: "We are relieved. We had to put the first half behind us. It was full of errors and we needed to park that. Credit to the boys they turned up in the second half. The subs made a huge impact and we got the job done.
"We lost Rory unfortunately and hopefully we'll get well soon. We had to reshuffle and I thought we adapted really well. The subs came in and made a huge impact
"I haven't played a knockout game here myself so really excited for next week. We didn't have a great training week, we were pretty frustrated Thursday after our training and that probably leaked into the first half but we got there in the second.
Brendan Graham
Man of the Match Calvin Nash: "It's unbelievable. It's nice to do it in a sunny Limerick as well. We are very happy to get the win. We won't be happy with our first half but we pulled it together and got the win and we are happy with that.
"Delighted for Clarke, he works hard and couldn't have gone to a better lad. Ulster are a great side. We are happy to get a win.
"We are happy to have the home quarter final and we'll focus on that"
Brendan Graham
That is it..Munster turn the ball over and the full time whistle is blown!! Munster finish top of the URC table and have been given a battle here. They find their way through and top the table ahead of the play offs. Calvin Nash awarded Man of the Match. Ulster finish the league games ahead of the play offs in sixth position.
Brendan Graham
Penalty for Ulster and Billy Burns kicks into the Munster half. Ulster in attack
Brendan Graham
The penalty is good and Munster lead by five with two minutes left to play
Brendan Graham
A big moment as Munster get the penalty in front of the posts and Munster will extend their lead to five.
Brendan Graham
This result will put Munster back top of the table by two points and leave Ulster in seventh
Brendan Graham
Ulster are the ones who can't throw straight this time and Munster will get the put in to the scrum
Brendan Graham
Crowley's conversion hits the post and the lead is two for Munster
Brendan Graham
Eoghan Clarke with a huge try for Munster and they take the lead once again in a rollercoaster of a game. Ulster can't handle the exceptional Munster maul and Clarke capitalises on that.
Brendan Graham
Crowley kicks to the corner as a draw won't be enough for Munster. Munster with the line out within five meters
Brendan Graham
Superb pressure from Shane Daly in among the Munster supporters roars. Aaron Sexton puts John Cooney in trouble with a hospital pass and Daly bundles Cooney into touch. Munster on a penalty advantage for offside
Brendan Graham
17,496 in Thom*ond Park this afternoon
Brendan Graham
Another set back in the Munster line out and a second lineout deemed not straight by Frank Murphy. This time it is Eoghan Clarke
Brendan Graham
WIth current scores Munster in fourth on 64 with Ulster in sixth on 57 points
Brendan Graham
Eoghan Clarke and John Ryan are into the game for Munster. Aaron Sexton comes on for Ulster
