PERFECT START TO THE NEW YEAR AS ULSTER SINK REDS

Faddes and Mcilroy put leaders in control

ULSTER maintained their 100 per cent start in the Guinness PRO14 although they were made to fight all the way at the Kingspan Stadium against Irish rivals Munster.

The Conference A leaders inflicted the first defeat of the season on Munster, the Conference B pacesetters who came to Belfast without their front-line players but still managed to claim a losing bonus point despite trailing 15-3 at half-time.

First-half tries from wingers Matt Faddes and Ethan Mcilroy, plus a conversion and a penalty from John Cooney, seemed to have put Ulster in full control.

However, Munster battled back in the second half, despite having skipper Billy Holland ( right) yellowcarded, while Ulster failed to register a single point.

Munster’s only score in the first half was from a Ben Healy penalty and they next scored in the 82nd minute when Ulster, a man down after Callum Reid’s yellow card, could not stop Darren Sweetnam from diving over. Ulster scored a superb try after six minutes when centre James Hume’s pass put Jacob Stockdale in space and he released Faddes to score at the corner, although Cooney was unable to provide the two extra points.

However, the hosts strayed offside five minutes later and Casey slotted the three points in reply from near the posts.

Ulster then crossed for their second try when Cooney ran a freekick which ended up with winger Mcilroy getting on the end of Billy

Burns’ kick-pass several phases later.

This time Cooney converted with another touchline shot, and he then extended their lead to 15-3 just before the half hour was up.

After a fairly uneventful opening period to the second half, Holland was shown a 59th-minute yellow card as Ulster tightened their grip on possession and territory.

Yet despite being camped in Munster’s 22 for nearly 10 minutes, the home side failed to score and even with 14 men the visitors lifted the siege thanks to Chris Cloete.

However, Healy was wide with a long-range penalty shot after 64 minutes and Munster managed to hold out while Holland was off. The game ended with Ulster again under pressure and Munster replacement Roman Salanoa drove in only for Thomas Ahern to be held up.

Then, with Ulster prop Reid in the bin, Munster finally got over in the 82nd minute through Sweetnam, a try which was converted by Jack Crowley. ULSTER: Tries: Faddes, Mcilroy Pen: Cooney Con: Cooney MUNSTER: Try: Sweetnam Pen: Healy Con: