Advertisement
Ulster’s Cormac Izuchukwu and Harry Sheridan celebrate after the game. Ryan Byrne/INPHO

'Teams are built around that' - Last-gasp win over champions a huge boost for Ulster

‘We weren’t anywhere near our best, and we’ve found a way to win,’ says head coach Richie Murphy.

ULSTER HEAD COACH Richie Murphy reckons Saturday’s dramatic 20-19 home win over URC champions Glasgow Warriors will boost the belief and resilience of his squad.

Replacement scrum half David Shanahan snatched the result for Ulster in the game’s final play which came when he scored from close range in the 84th minute.

“Teams are built around that,” Murphy said of the URC campaign’s opening round result.

“We’re really happy with the win,” he added as Ulster now face a two-game trip to South Africa to take on the Lions and Bulls, both at altitude and without six players who will also be heading to the Rainbow Nations with Emerging Ireland.

“They (the players) could have easily walked away from that game with a point and been happy enough,” Murphy added of a clash which entered its closing stages with Ulster trailing 19-15 after having been mostly on the backfoot for the first hour.

“There’s loads to work on, we’re nowhere near happy with the performance but we’ll take the win and move on.

“We want to be a team that will throw everything we’ve got at the opposition and if the opposition are too good for us, we’ll that’s fine. We’ll accept that.

werner-kok-celebrates-his-side-scoring-a-late-try-to-win-the-game Werner Kok celebrates David Shanahan's late try to win the game. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

“We didn’t throw everything that we had because we were just too inaccurate in many phases of the game, but we showed great character.

“We were put under a lot of pressure, and we’ve come up with some good answers at the end.

“We weren’t anywhere near our best, and we’ve found a way to win.”

Murphy had special praise for Ulster’s bench which helped drag the home team over the line.

“The players coming on in the second half added, which is exactly what we wanted to do, and a special mention for Dave Shanahan who had a very good end to the game,” he said.

“He works really hard. He sets standards all through the week.

player-of-the-match-dave-shanahan POTM: David Shanahan. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

“It’s no surprise when someone like that steps up and fills that hole towards the back end of the game.

“We’re delighted for him. It’s a big moment. Delighted for the team as well because we played a really good team, we weren’t anywhere near our best, and we’ve found a way to win.

“(And) bringing the likes of Tom O’Toole and Andy Warwick on, young James McCormick in the front-row, Izzy (Cormac Izuchukwu) coming on and giving us a little bit of carry with (Harry) Sheridan, those guys are starting to become more experienced and did really well at the backend of the game.”

View 15 comments
Close
15 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stuart
    Favourite Stuart
    Report
    Nov 26th 2024, 6:48 PM

    Never really watched him, just watched some highlights. He’s a big boy, looks a decent ball carrier , interesting to see how he goes

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute brian o'leary
    Favourite brian o'leary
    Report
    Nov 26th 2024, 7:20 PM

    @Stuart: irish qualified in 5 years:)

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gary Galligan
    Favourite Gary Galligan
    Report
    Nov 26th 2024, 8:55 PM

    @brian o’leary: wouldn’t mind getting hanekom

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Noel Roe
    Favourite Noel Roe
    Report
    Nov 26th 2024, 7:27 PM

    Thought Ulster had no money for new signings ?

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kingshu
    Favourite Kingshu
    Report
    Nov 26th 2024, 8:15 PM

    @Noel Roe: why did you think that? Ulster posted one year deficient, Munster posted over 10 years of deficients but still could make big signings. Its a balancing act to make sure the team remains competitive amd fans keep coming while balanacing the books, I expect there will be another NIQ player to come in, plus both Ulster and Munster are scoring the world for decent IQ props.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute damien reidy
    Favourite damien reidy
    Report
    Nov 26th 2024, 8:58 PM

    @Kingshu: You took the bait right there

    7
    See 4 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Noel Roe
    Favourite Noel Roe
    Report
    Nov 26th 2024, 8:59 PM

    @Kingshu: Because they are apparently in debt to the tune of €3.5 million https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2024/0808/1464112-ulster-rugby-chief-confirms-multi-million-euro-deficit/

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Noel Roe
    Favourite Noel Roe
    Report
    Nov 26th 2024, 9:07 PM

    @Kingshu: They got rid of Billy burns & will Addison to help balance the books. Perhaps I am guilty of paying too much attention to what Gerry Thornley repeatedly said. He is a good signing though.

    Munster need another 6 good players, Gus McCarthy would be a fine start :)

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kingshu
    Favourite Kingshu
    Report
    Nov 26th 2024, 10:01 PM

    @damien reidy: yeah, did, but sometimes feels like if someone repeats a lie often enough, it becomes the truth, unless you refute it early.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Carmine Lorenzo
    Favourite Carmine Lorenzo
    Report
    Nov 26th 2024, 10:52 PM

    @Noel Roe: I’d say Tom Stewart and McNabney, as well as most Ulster fans, might push back on that comment.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Justin Robinson
    Favourite Justin Robinson
    Report
    Nov 26th 2024, 11:54 PM

    The plan is to convert him to a TH.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute kieran horgan
    Favourite kieran horgan
    Report
    Nov 26th 2024, 8:43 PM

    Serious ball carrier, just what they need.

    2
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel