Despite leading 17-nil at half-time Munster had to contend with a losing bonus point in Belfast this evening after failing to score in the second forty, while Ulster produced a four-try turnaround to secure the bonus point win.
Starting the stronger Munster dominated the first half through the use of their set piece and used a powerful maul to their advantage with Niall Scannell scoring a brace, the hooker touching down off the back of rolling mauls.
After missing an opening penalty kick, Hanrahan was again unable to find his form off the tee and missed both conversions.
A third try came by way of a penalty try just after the half hour mark when the pack dominance continued come scrum time, and with the defensive effort also fronting up Van Graan’s men went in at the half 17-0 ahead.
Munster held their northern counterparts scoreless for 57 minutes and it was when the men in red were reduced to 14 that Ulster delivered their first punch through a Darren Cave try.
It was during the attacking build-up that Sammy Arnold was issued with a red card for a high tackle on Lealiifano and the southern province were again exposed minutes later when defending with 13 men.
This time Craig Gilroy scored out wide diving on a Cave grubber and the lead was reduced to five points moving into the final quarter.
The winger completed his second-half brace when again scoring out wide on 73 minutes, and with Cooney kicking the conversion, Ulster led for the first time.
The comeback continued into the final minutes with Rob Lyttle breaking out wide to seal the bonus point victory for his side.
Guinness PRO14 round 12 round-up: Billy Holland (HIA), Calvin Nash, Niall Scannell and Tommy O’Donnell will need to be assessed for various knocks sustained.
Jeremy Loughman made his Munster debut when coming on for James Cronin after 60 minutes.
Munster: Simon Zebo (Johnston 75); Calvin Nash (Fitzgerald HT), Keith Earls, Sammy Arnold, Alex Wootton; JJ Hanrahan, Duncan Williams; James Cronin (Loughman 61), Niall Scannell (O’Byrne 52), John Ryan (Archer 50); Darren O’Shea