Ulster may have lost out in the end against the URC leaders Munster but they will take a lot of heart from their performance at Thom*ond Park. Richie Murphy's side bounced back from RG Snyman's early try to lead 17-7 at the break thanks to tries from Rob Herring and Dave McCann.
The hosts responded after the break with Calvin Nash reducing the deficit before Matty Rae restored Ulster's 10-point lead again almost immediately. But the leaders responded with another score of their own as Shane Daly crossed to take Munster to within three points.
Eoghan Clarke finished off a rolling maul before Jack Crowley's late penalty gave the home side a five-point advantage and secure top spot in the division. That means they will play Ospreys in the play-offs.
Ulster though will take heart from a fantastic display as they earned their losing bonus point. That was enough to take them up to sixth which means they will now play Leinster in Dublin instead of having to travel to South Africa.
Key Events
That's all folks...
F/T: Munster 29-24 Ulster
KICK-OFF!
HALF-TIME! Munster 7-17 Ulster
KICK-OFF!
KEY EVENT
That's all folks...
Ulster may have narrowly lost in the end but the losing bonus point was enough to secure sixth place and set up a play-off tie against Leinster in Dublin next week.
Munster's ninth win in a row secures top spot and they will play Ospreys next.
KEY EVENT
F/T: Munster 29-24 Ulster
Munster celebrate as they make it nine wins on the bounce.
They were made to work all the way for it by Ulster though who secure the losing bonus point.
Steven Crawford
PENALTY Munster 29-24 Ulster
Munster have increased their lead to five points going into the final few minutes.
It's a great slot over from Jack Crowley from just inside the Ulster half.
Steven Crawford
Final five
Big five minutes to come here...
Will there be more drama?
Steven Crawford
TRY!! Munster 26-24 Ulster
Munster are back in front again as we move into the last eight minutes.
It's Eoghan Clarke who crosses from close range after a rolling maul from the hosts.
Jack Crowley's conversion hits the woodwork to leave the gap at two points.
Steven Crawford
TRY!! Munster 21-24 Ulster
What an opening 20 minutes to the second half here at Thom*ond Park with another score.
It's Munster who have provided an instant response this time after great work by Joey Carberry as Shane Daly crosses to score before Jack Crowley reduces Ulster's lead to three points again.
What a game!
Steven Crawford
TRY!! Munster 14-24 Ulster
Wow, Ulster produce an immediate response to restore their 10-point advantage again.
It all comes from a superb break from the impressive Cormac Izuchukwu.
Ulster keep the ball moving with Matty Rea eventually crossing the line for the score.
John Cooney adds the conversion.
Steven Crawford
TRY!! Munster 14-17 Ulster
Munster are right back in this as the deficit is reduced to three.
A sustained period of pressure sees Jack Crowley break the lines.
Craig Casey spins it out wide to Calvin Nash to dot down from a yard out before Crowley adds the extras.
Steven Crawford
Penalty miss
A rare penalty miss by John Cooney keeps the deficit at 10 points as it crashes back off the upright.
The home crowd are starting to get a bit restless.
Steven Crawford
Munster charge
Unsurprisingly Munster have ramped up the pressure at the start of the second half but there is still some sloppiness in their play.
Ulster hoping to weather this storm and reassert themselves again.
KEY EVENT
KICK-OFF!
We are udnerway way again at Thom*ond Park.
A big 40 minutes coming up for both teams.
KEY EVENT
HALF-TIME! Munster 7-17 Ulster
What a first half from Ulster!
Richie Murphy's men have bounced back from conceding an early try from RG Snyman to lead by 10 at the break.
Steven Crawford
TRY!! Munster 7-17 Ulster
What an end to the first half for Ulster as they extend their lead to 10 points.
It comes after another sloppy mistake from the hosts as Jack Crowley kicks the dropout restart out on the full thinking time was up.
Ulster win a penalty advantage off the five metre scrum, and Dave McCann crosses over after a period of intense pressure before John Cooney fires over the extras.
Steven Crawford
Munster change
The hosts have been forced into a change late in the first half as Rory Scannell goes off after suffering an unfortunate injury.
Joey Carberry comes on.
Steven Crawford
Kicking gets out of hand
A series of kicks from both sides leave a lot to be desired.
Ulster's Will Addison can only find the stands as he attempts a spiral bomb!
Steven Crawford
Sloppy Munster
Munster are pushing hard to get themselves going again.
But three times in quick succession they have knocked on in good positions handing the ball back to Ulster.
Steven Crawford
PENALTY! Munster 7-10 Ulster
Ulster are in front for the first time as John Cooney fires over a penalty.
It comes after Sean O'Brien was deemed offside.
This has been a great response from Richie Murphy's men.
Steven Crawford
TRY!! Munster 7-7 Ulster
Ulster make their possession count as they tie things up again.
After good work from the pack Rob Herring powers over from the back of the maul.
The ever reliable John Cooney slots home the conversion.
Steven Crawford
Ulster in possession
Ulster are enjoying an extended spell of possession for the first time in the game.
The Munster defence is standing strong at this stage.
Steven Crawford
TRY!! Munster 7-0 Ulster
It's a real blow for Ulster as minutes aftre RG Snyman escaped a card he opens the scoring.
The South African's telescopic reach touches the ball down for his fifth try in six games.
Jack Crowley slots over the extras.
Steven Crawford
Penalty for Ulster
RG Snyman breathes a sigh of relief after he escapes with just a penalty following a collision with Will Addison.
His shoulder connects with the Ulsterman but referee deems mitigating circ*mstances so no card will be shown.
The visitors are forced into another change as Kieran Treadwell is replaced by Harry Sheirdan.
Steven Crawford
Another change for Ulster
Ulster have been forced into another lad alteration.
Stewart Moore now comes at fullback in place of Ethan McIlroy.
Dave Ewers comes onto the bench with the visitors now having a 6:2 split.
KEY EVENT
KICK-OFF!
We are underway at Thom*ond Park.
The hosts get things started in the sunshine in Limerick.
Steven Crawford
Late change for Ulster
There is a late change for Ulster ahead of kick-off at Thom*ond Park as Jude Postlethwaite replaces Stuart McCloskey at 12.
Aaron Sexton is now on the bench.
Steven Crawford
The teams have arrived
We have arrived at Thom*ond Park #MUNvULS #SUAF pic.twitter.com/IUYCchr4ZK
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) June 1, 2024
— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) June 1, 2024Arrived
Thom*ond Park pic.twitter.com/ECdvHnd2Ca
Steven Crawford
What they said...
"You don’t go down to Thom*ond Park and get slightly side-tracked by other things. A brilliant challenge, they are going all guns blazing for top spot, it’s all to play for and it will be tough but we are excited by it. We want to get points out of this game, there is no doubt about that."
Jonny Bell - Ulster Defence Coach
Steven Crawford
Timoney eyes silverware boost for Ulster with win over Munster
The Irish Shield may not have been high up on the list of priorities for Ulster at the start of the season, but for Nick Timoney securing it would be a step forward for the province.
Read the full story here.
Steven Crawford
What they said...
“They’re a really good side, they’ve won four on the bounce and you’d expect a bounce when a new coach comes in. Richie Murphy’s getting that. We know we need to be on it to get a result.”
Mike Prendergast - Munster Attack Coach
Steven Crawford
Last time out
Ulster took the honours when the two sides last met at Kingspan Stadium on November 10.
The hosts ran out 21-14 winners over Munster on the night, with Rob Herring becoming Ulster's all-time record appearance holder.
Steven Crawford
How to watch this evening's game
Tonight's game at Thom*ond Park is being broadcast live.
Click here to find out how you can watch.