Last-gasp penalty gives Ulster win over Munster

Munster 15 Ulster 16

An 86th minute penalty kick from Australian out-half Adam Larkin, his only success of a five-kick second-half, gave Ulster a highly-prized third win of four Celtic League games this season, at Musgrave Park.

The bustling crowd thought Alan Gaffney’s reds might have won it two minutes earlier as out-half Jeremy Staunton knocked over his fifth penalty to put the home side 15-13 in front.

But there was further drama as right on the Munster fifteen metre line, Larkin booted his kick just left of centre but over for a decisive victory.

A 15th minute penalty for a late tackle had put the home side in front before Staunton hit his only miss of the night seven minutes later from just inside the Ulster half.

Staunton's second success nearing the final quarter of the first half looked to have give Munster the edge before Alan Solomons' visitors awoke with a Seamus Mallon try.

Ulster held a 13-6 lead into the second half with scoring chances few and far between.

Staunton ate into that lead with a penalty after the hour mark and another one inside the final ten minutes as Munster pushed to end their three-game losing streak.

The Garryowen back had a final chance to win the game in the fourth minute of injury time with a kick eight minutes in from the touchline and just inside the Ulster '22. He knocked it sweetly over just right of centre as a famous win looked on.

However Larkin kept his nerve at the death to spoil the Red army's party.