And it was a victory far more conclusive than the final scoreline suggests, Ulster's seven pointer coming in added time in the last play of the match.

Munster led 10-3 at half time with a 32nd minute penalty try awarded by Alain Rolland after the Munster scrum shunted the Ulster 8 backwards three successive times five metres from the Ulster line.

And as early as four minutes into the second half the outcome was put beyond doubt when Simon Zebo took full advantage of a stand-offish midfield defence to breeze through for a try.

The prospect of a bonus point win looked entirely probable when, five minutes later, Peter O'Mahony ended a sustained bout of Munster pressure with a try to the right of the posts, Ian Keatley continuing his 100% kicking return with a conversion for a 21 point lead.

But the bonus try never materialized as error crept into the Munster game and in fairness, the Ulster boys applied themselves admirably to their defensive duties. And again to their credit the young Ulster side engineered a right at the end for replacement Stuart Olding.

Perhaps the best opportunity for a win bonus came in the final quarter when Zebo raced onto a trademark Ronan O'Gara - on for Downey in the 50th minute - crossfield kick but the bounce was wicked and the chance lost.

Afterwards, coach Rob Penney admitted that, "had we been offered that result this morning we'd have taken it. But now, with three tries in the bag and a half hour to play, we'd be a wee bit disappointed not to have taken a win bonus."

Nevertheless, his squad continue to build momentum as they head into the New Year with the Blues game on Saturday in Cork followed by the last two European group games.

Munster: D Hurley; D Howlett (capt) (F Jones 65), C Laulala, J Downey (R O'Gara 51), S Zebo; I Keatley, C Murray (P Stringer 68); W du Preez (M Horan 63), D Varley, BJ Botha (S Archer 51); Donncha O'Callaghan, B Holland; P O'Mahony (J Coughlan 64), T O'Donnell (Dave O'Callaghan 70), P Butler.

Ulster: A D'Arcy; C Cochrane, M Allen, L Marshall, C Gilroy (R Andrew 70); N O'Connor (S Olding 60), P Marshall (M Heaney 66); C Black (T Court 58), R Herring (N Annett 58), A Macklin (R Lutton 65); L Stevenson, N McComb; R Diack, M McComish (A Birch 58), R Wilson (capt).

Referee: A Rolland (IRFU).