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WATCH: Highlights of Munster’s 19-12 loss to Ulster at Ravenhill

December 21, 2018 / Raffaele Rocca /

Munster came up short on the road against Ulster on Friday night with out half Bill Johnston rescuing a losing bonus point with the last kick of the game slotting a fine penalty.

There can be no arguing with Ulster – outscoring their counterparts by 3 tries to 1- deserved the win, but the landscape of the game could have been very different had Robert Baloucoune received a red card for the hit on Darren Sweetnam direct from the opening kick off.

The tackle seemed to tick all the boxes of a red card but was somehow only deemed a yellow card offence by referee Sean Gallagher. It promises to be another interesting week from the disciplinary panel as the tackle is likely to see further sanction for the Ulster winger.

"It's reckless, there's no care for Sweetnam in the air. For me it is a red card. You've got to look after guys." Donncha O'Callaghan says ref Sean Gallagher should have shown a red card to Ulster's Robert Baloucoune. Ulster lead Munster 7-3 at half-time. #GuinnessPro14 #ULSvMUN pic.twitter.com/W9gG12RTIR
— eir Sport (@eirSport) December 21, 2018

"We definitely could have made more of it – we didn't get to expose them at any stage." Munster forwards coach Jerry Flannery admits his side failed to take advantage of Ulster winger Robert Baloucoune's yellow card. #GuinnessPro14 #ULSvMUN pic.twitter.com/5GlYEKZEO3
— eir Sport (@eirSport) December 21, 2018

JJ Hanrahan opened proceedings with a penalty for Munster. Rob Herring scoring the only try of the first half off the back of a driving Ulster maul with Billy Burns adding the extras. Hanrahan slotted another penalty as Munster cut the deficit to 7-6 heading in at the break.

"That is just what Ulster, and the mass of Santas, required". Rob Herring drives over for Ulster, Billy Burns adds the extras and Ulster lead Munster 7-3 after 35 minutes. #GuinnessPro14 #ULSvMUN pic.twitter.com/5hTM2Gk5nj
— eir Sport (@eirSport) December 21, 2018

Ulster powered back but Robert Baloucoune crossed after the break with Rory Best pulling off a superb offload in the buildup despite the attention of three Munster tacklers. The newly introduced Bill Johnston kicked Munster’s 3rd penalty of the night to keep the in touch at 14-9.

"The try for Ulster coming at precisely the right moment." Ulster lead Munster 14-6 after 61 minutes following Robert Baloucoune's converted try. #GuinnessPRO14 #ULSvMUN pic.twitter.com/jFbyW5XZfQ
— eir Sport (@eirSport) December 21, 2018

However another fine Best offload put David Shanahan in at the corner for Ulster’s 3rd try of the night to wrap up the match points. Ulster went looking for a bonus point but it would fall to Munster’s Bill Johnston to kick the crucial penalty at the end and reduce a deserved bonus point for the visitors.

"Two offloads from Rory Best and it changes the game". David Shanahan dives in at the corner from a Best pass and Ulster lead Munster 19-9 with three minutes to go. #GuinnessPRO14 #ULSvMUN pic.twitter.com/x1GZS4SrTv
— eir Sport (@eirSport) December 21, 2018

"A loss will never be good enough, but they really put their heart and souls into this one, and I am very proud of the way they fought." Munster head coach Johann van Graan after his side's 19-12 defeat to Ulster at Kingspan Stadium on Friday. #GuinnessPRO14 #ULSvMUN pic.twitter.com/lxrI1eYJ20
— eir Sport (@eirSport) December 21, 2018

"They needed to keep the ball in hand when they got into the right areas, but they just coughed it up and they were a bit sloppy." Peter Stringer was not impressed with Munster during Friday's 19-12 defeat to Ulster at Kingspan Stadium. #GuinnessPRO14 #ULSvMUN pic.twitter.com/rqnemjZh2K
— eir Sport (@eirSport) December 21, 2018

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