MUNSTER gave their URC play-off and Champions Cup qualification hopes a significant boost with a 38-20 home win over Ulster.
The result moves Munster back into the top half of the table, with an important outing against Benetton in Cork next weekend.
Munster scored six tries in this vital inter-provincial victory at Thomond Park (attendance: 17,684).
Those scores, four of which were converted by Jack Crowley, came from Michael Milne, Man of the Match Tom Farrell (2), skipper Tadgh Beirne, Niall Scannell, and Peter O’Mahony.
Friday night’s outing also marked the last Limerick appearances by legendary trio Stephen Archer, Conor Murray and O’Mahony, who was simply outstanding.
“It was about Peter, it was about Conor, it was about Stevie. It was about what they’ve done for the club, how they deserve to be sent off,” Munster coach Ian Costello told RTÉ afterwards.
“We had a meeting on the pitch tonight and Tadhg (Beirne) spoke so well and it really captured the whole week around putting a performance out there that reflected how much those lads meant to us and meant to the club. That’s more powerful than anything.
“And it probably reflected what those lads meant to us. In a lot of elements, without being perfect, I think we did that. That’s the relief.”
Munster: Thaakir Abrahams; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Diarmuid Kilgallen; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Michael Milne, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer; Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne, captain; Peter O’Mahony, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Lee Barron, Josh Wycherley, John Ryan, Fineen Wycherley, Tom Ahern, Conor Murray, Seán O’Brien, Alex Kendellen.
