Beirne The Difference As 14-Man Munster Overhaul Ulster

A gritty backs-to-the-wall effort saw Munster overcome Simon Zebo’s early sending-off to defeat Ulster 18-13 in the United Rugby Championship at Thomond Park.

Zebo was red carded for a high tackle in the 15th minute and Ulster, with Rob Herring having earlier touched down, sensed a first victory in Limerick since May 2014.

Two Nathan Doak penalties, in response to a couple of Jack Crowley three-pointers, had the visitors leading 13-6 until Munster rallied.

Inspired by Tadhg Beirne, the men in red closed the gap with a Mike Haley try before replacement Alex Kendellen scored the match winner with five minutes remaining.

Beirne came in late to captain Munster on his 30th birthday, standing in for Peter O’Mahony who was withdrawn following the warm-up.

Following two recent postponements, Ulster’s eager forwards delivered a seventh-minute maul try for Herring which John Cooney converted.

Munster suffered an even bigger blow when Zebo’s shoulder made contact with the face of Ulster full-back Michael Lowry. TMO Brian MacNeice’s input led to referee Mike Adamson reaching for his red card.

Strong carries from John Hodnett and Thomas Ahern sparked a furious Munster spell near the Ulster line. Crowley popped over a penalty and added a second one after Sam Carter was slow to roll away.

However, Doak, who replaced the injured Cooney, made it 10-6 just before half-time and Ulster exerted maul pressure again on the resumption.

Ahern thwarted Dan McFarland’s men with two impressive lineout steals, before a big Tom O’Toole-led scrum set up a long-range penalty from Doak for 13-6.

The numbers were evened up when Ulster replacement Kieran Treadwell was sin-binned for a tip tackle on Shane Daly.

Munster immediately took advantage, Craig Casey’s superb long pass from a ruck putting Haley over out wide, despite Lowry’s despairing tackle.

Crowley hit the post with the difficult conversion from the right, leaving the scoreboard showing 13-11, and Doak was short with a monster penalty attempt.

Ultimately, Munster showed the greater hunger, led by the brilliant Beirne whose breakdown smarts were a key factor throughout.

Replacement Jack O’Donoghue wriggled through into the 22, Fineen Wycherley was stopped short but the ball popped back for a well-placed Kendellen to score and Ben Healy converted.

Herring and Lowry, whose footwork and fielding were excellent, led the way for the Ulstermen, but the postponement of those two festive fixtures, coupled with their Covid-19 disruptions, appeared to catch up with them.

14-man Munster hung in there and were rewarded for a gutsy all-round performance, with their bench providing a telling impact.

Haley covered acres of ground in defence and showed well in attack too, but for his numerous turnover penalties, leadership and physicality around the field, Beirne earned the URC player-of-the-match medal.