McLaughlin: This was my biggest day

More than ever, Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin could be excused for feeling miffed at his demotion to hand over to New Zealander Mark Anscombe at the end of June.

As Ulster took a giant step towards their first Heineken Cup final in 13 years, McLaughlin described yesterday’s triumph at Thomond Park as possibly the most memorable of his rugby career.

In contrast to a bitterly disappointed Tony McGahan who bemoaned Munster’s concession of 19 points in the opening 25 minutes, McLaughlin could afford to smile.

“It’s probably the biggest day of my life in rugby terms,’’ he said.

“Ruan’s [Pienaar] place kicking was exemplary and Craig Gilroy’s try was exceptional. It was a dream to be that much ahead after 25 minutes. It was our game-plan personified.

“We knew Munster were going to come at us and they certainly did, but even at 19-10 at half-time, if we knew that was to be the outcome we would have taken it.”

McLaughlin confidently suggested this Ulster win was no accident, that something like it has been in the making for the last three years.

“It is the work of three years’ hard work, the importance of us getting Ulster up the ladder and getting to that top table. We have talked about it for three years.

“Last year we went to Northampton with hope rather than expectation. We came down here today with expectation. Now that expectation is upon us and we hope this is the start of something, not the end.”

It was a big day for Stephen Ferris and for young try scorer Craig Gilroy, with McLaughlin finding words of praise.

“Stephen is a talisman for us, we knew Munster would keep coming at us and we worked hard on taking away that momentum. Craig Gilroy scored one of the most fantastic tries in his debut against Cardiff last year so for me it wasn’t a big surprise, he lights up the pitch when he plays and he is a smashing talent and one that everyone should keep a close eye on for the future.”

Tony McGahan heaped praise on Ulster. “I thought they were terrific right across the board; they got off to a substantial lead with three penalties from inside half way. They came to play, controlled the scoreboard and field position certainly in that first half.”

You felt McGahan wasn’t happy with the performance of French referee Roman Poite; certainly the home fans weren’t, but he wasn’t making an issue of it.

“The penalty count can work either way,’’ he said. “Today wasn’t for us but that wasn’t the be all and end all of where the game was. They’re [Ulster] a very mature side. Their progress over the last two years, in particular the last 12 months, is evidence of that and you saw a lot of maturity from a very good side there today.

“To come back from 19 points, no matter what sort of wind is running out there, is difficult. I thought to get to 19-13 was good but we needed to show a little bit more composure and intensity; really we needed to make them work a bit harder.’’