Munster Suffer Defeat at Ravenhill

Munster lost their first Celtic League game to a strong Ulster side by 26 points to 17 at Ravenhill. The enormous Ulster support and magnificent scoring by Neil Doak proved too much for Munster.

Munster lost their first Celtic League game to a strong Ulster side by 26 points to 17 at Ravenhill. The enormous Ulster support and magnificent scoring by Neil Doak proved too much for Munster.

The first score of the game came in the 2nd minute with a penalty kick by Neil Doak to give Ulster a 3 nil lead. Ulster looked strong from the very beginning of the game with strong attacks on Munster and some consistent passing and kicking. It wasnt long before Munster got some points on the board with a lovely Drop Goal by Jeremy Staunton leveling the sides at 3-3 and minutes later a fortunate bounce gave Jason Holland a chance to pop the ball out to Mossie Lawlor who touched down for 5 points. Staunton missed the conversion but soon kicked 3 points after Munster were awarded a penalty for obstruction on Eddie Halvey. Munster 11 Ulster 3.

In the 19th minute Neil Doak kicked a penalty to narrow the score to 11-6. Jason Holland replied with a drop goal a few minutes later while Ulster’s Tony McWhirter was busy punching Denis Leamy, McWhirter was sin binned for his out-burst. Neil Doak continued to add points to the board for Ulster by kicking a penalty in the 39th minute (14-9), with a response from Staunton the score stood at 17-9 in Munsters favour and it looked as that was all the action for the first half. But before Munster knew it, Ulster made an attack, and with some tremendous passing out the line finally ending up in the hands of Neil Doak who passed Prendergast and Staunton to score a fine try which he then converted. Half time score Munster 17 Ulster 16.

The second half began with Munster putting some good pressure on Ulster, but unfortunately it was not to last as the 50th minute saw Ulster attacking the Munster line, and magnificent passing would have seen cunningham touch down but for an excellent tackle by Mike Prendergast which saw the Ulster No.15 in touch. Ulster continued to pressure Munster, and again excellent passing by the Ulster men saw the now infemous Neil Doak touch down for another great try and then convert in the 64th minute. Ulster 23 Munster 17.

Munster began to look tired and overwhelmed by the Ravenhill support for Ulster and this showed in their play for the remainder of the game. They tried bringing on some new blood in the form of Dominic Malone and Simon Kerr, but Ulster continued to dominate, with the exception of some good moments by Denis Leamy and Jeremy Staunton for Munster. The final score of the game came in the 77th minute when Neil Doak kicked his 26th point of the game. Final score Ulster 26 Munster 17.

One would have to admire the Ulster supporters, they gave their team a show in Ravenhill that would even match that of our own Thomond park.

Scorers:

Tries: Munster – Mossie Lawlor. Ulster – Neil Doak (2)

Cons: Ulster – Neil Doak (2)

Penalties: Munster – Jeremy Staunton (2). Ulster – Neil Doak (4)

Drop Goals: Munster – Jeremy Staunton, Jason Holland.

Teams:

Munster

Jeremy Staunton, Dominic Crotty, Mike Mullins, Jason Holland, Mossie Lawlor, Killian Keane, Mike Prendergast, Marcus Horan, James Blaney, Rob Laffan, Mick Galwey (Capt.), Mick O’Driscoll, Donncha O’Callaghan, Denis Leamy, Eddie Halvey.

Replacements: John Fogarty, Simon Kerr, Trevor Hogan, Colm McMahon, Dominic Malone, Conor Mahony, Clinton Huppert.

Ulster

Bryn Cunningham, James Topping, Ryan Constable, Johnathon Bell, Tyrone Howe, Adam Larkin, Neil Doak, Justin Fitzpatrick, Matt Sexton, Robbie Kempson, Mark Blair, Jeremy Davidson (Capt.), Warren Brosnihan, Neil McMillan, Tony McWhirter.

Replacements: Simon Best, Paul Shields, Paddy Johns, Neil Best, Kieran Campbell, Shane Stewart, Scott Young.