Ulster produce stunning late show to claim draw against Munster
Last Updated: 10/05/15 9:08pm
A superb last-minute conversion from Paddy Jackson snatched a dramatic 23-23 draw for 14-man Ulster against Munster at Ravenhill.
Ulster flanker Iain Henderson was sent off with six minutes remaining for leading with his head at a ruck, and Keith Earls looked to have secured a precious victory when he scored his side’s only try.
However, replacement scrum-half Paul Marshall crossed in the corner at the death and Jackson nailed a difficult conversion to set up a tense final round of fixtures next weekend to decide who will claim a home Guinness PRO12 play-off.
Munster, who remain one point ahead of Ulster in third place, led 9-0 towards the end of a tight first half thanks to three penalties from Ian Keatley.
Jackson got Ulster off the mark in the final minute after Munster’s scrum was penalised, and they then pounced for a scintillating try in the final play of the half.
After Rory Best had secured a high ball, Ulster moved it wide and a deft pass from Henderson worked Bowe into space.
The Ireland and Lions winger dodged and swerved his way past several defenders to dramatically dive over the line and Jackson's conversion gave Ulster a 10-9 interval lead.
That quickly became 13-9 three minutes after the restart when Jackson kicked his second penalty but the visitors hit back with Keatley's fourth penalty from right under the sticks.
The introduction of BJ Botha helped Munster get on top in the scrum, and that led to Keatley putting the visitors back in front on the hour mark.
Bowe tried to ignite Ulster as he scythed through a lineout but his pass back inside was never near Chris Henry, and Keatley kicked his six successful penalty with 12 minutes remaining after Marshall took Earls out in the air.
Jackson cut Ulster’s deficit to two points before Bowe made another dramatic break, which ended up with Dan Tuohy kicking away the ball and Ulster getting advantage from a knock-on.
But then the play was called back and after consulting with the TMO, Henderson was shown red by referee Nigel Owens for his smash on Ronan O'Mahony.
From there, Munster turned the screw with Earls scoring in the right corner after a lineout maul, though Keatley's conversion sailed wide.
But there was more drama with Paul Marshall scoring in the left corner in the final minute, and Jackson's superb conversion snatched a share of the spoils.
