Munster pip Ulster to the post in thrilling Thomond Park tryfest

If not for the final whistle, you got the impression that Munster and Ulster would have traded tries all night.

It was Anthony Foley's side who led after 80 minutes when some resolute defending on their own line kept Ulster at bay and secured the 32-28 victory. The Thomond Park encounter had the feel of an NBA game as both teams attacked at will, scored and then allowed their opponents the chance to do the same. Craig Gilroy opened the scoring for the visitors inside the opening five minutes which woke Munster up, responding via Andy Conway who crossed for the third time in three games. The sides went back and forth with tries for the remainder of the half with Conway finding his second of the game before Robin Copeland touched down which was duly converted by Ian Keatley to give Munster the lead. Gerhard van den Heever and Nick Williams both went over before the end of the half which saw Munster ahead by a hair, 19-18. It looked like Munster had done too much for Neil Doak's side when Denis Hurley and Simon Zebo came up with tries after a Paddy Jackson drop goal and Keatley penalty in the second half. Ulster made a game of it, though, when Dan Tuohy came off the bench to score in the 68th minute before a Jackson conversion made it a four-point game. But the waves of pressure were soaked up by Munster in the dying minutes and they held out to seal their fifth PRO12 win out of six games this season.