Ulster fight back to draw with Munster in thriller

A second-half fightback earns Ulster a draw against Munster in a thrilling United Rugby Championship Irish derby in Belfast. Stuart McCloskey's converted late try earned Ulster a second straight draw A second-half fightback earned Ulster a draw against Munster in a thrilling United Rugby Championship Irish derby in Belfast. Munster looked on course for a bonus-point win after first-half tries from Alex Kendellen (2), Marnus van der Merwe and Dan Kelly put them 26-5 up at the break. However, having already marked his 150th appearance with a superb solo try in the first half, Jacob Stockdale's second raised Ulster's hopes of a turnaround. David McCann further cut the gap, and after replacement Munster fly-half Charlie O'Shea kicked a penalty short, Stuart McCloskey touched down three minutes from time to ensure a share of the spoils.

It is a second successive draw for Ulster after last week's 33-33 tie with Glasgow, although an opening loss to Edinburgh leaves Richie Murphy's team still searching for their first win of the season. After Munster head coach Clayton McMillan admitted midweek that last season's dismal 28-3 loss in Belfast remains "etched" in his memory, it was perhaps unsurprising to see his side fired up for the season's first interpro. They were helped by Ulster, though, who looked sluggish and ill-disciplined early on, having also