Ulster 20
Glasgow 19
Michael Sadlier reports from Kingspan Stadium
A FINISH FULL of drama at Kingspan Stadium saw Ulster snatch victory from the URC champions when David Shanahan touched down from close range with the clock reading 84 minutes.
Trailing 12-10 at the break and with Glasgow by far the better side for most of the game, Richie Murphy’s squad somehow found a way, through the close-driving of their pack, to earn victory, though they were made to wait as the TMO intervened to have a look at Shanahan’s grounding before giving the all-clear.
The champions scored first when Johnny Matthews got on the end of a maul and got the ball down over the line. Tom Jordan missed the extras.
Ulster hit back through a Nathan Doak penalty on 16 minutes and then shortly afterwards Jordan was charged down by Aidan Morgan and the province’s new out half got on the end of the scramble to score his first try for the province.
Doak converted and Ulster had the lead 10-5.
Seven minutes later, Glasgow were back in front, Henco Venter scoring Glasgow’s second try and Jordan converting from a more favourable angle.
On the half-hour, Ulster won a crucial turnover when defending their own line against a Glasgow driving maul, and then won a free kick at the following scrum.
However, this was no momentum shifter as Richie Murphy’s men were still on the defensive as the half came to an end.
Once more, though, the home team again managed to win a vital turnover just when it seemed they were creaking. Iain Henderson and David McCann combined to interrupt the momentum of Glasgow’s driving maul and from the turnover Doak was able to kick the ball into touch and end the opening 40 minutes, Glasgow leading only 12-10 despite having more possession and territory.
Eight minutes after the restart, Rory Darge was over for the Warriors but the score was ruled out for a forward pass.
Then, just before the 60-minute mark, Jordan was yellow-carded for head contact on Stewart Moore.
With Richie Gray binned – briefly reducing the visitors to 13 – it looked a no-brainer that Ulster would score but James McNabney was held up over the line.
Still, David McCann made all the pressure count on 72 minutes, though Morgan was unable to convert.
But almost immediately after taking the lead, Glasgow skipper Kyle Steyn scored in the corner, Adam Hastings adding a great conversion to put the Scots ahead by 19-15.
Then with the clock deep in the red, Shanahan wriggled though to win it.
Ulster: E McIlroy, M Lowry, S Moore, J Postlethwaite, J Stockdale, A Morgan, N Doak; E O’Sullivan, J Andrew, C Barrett, I Henderson (capt), K Treadwell, J McNabney, D McCann, N Timoney
Replacements: J McCormick for Andrew 67mins, A Warwick for O’Sullivan 45mins, T O’Toole for Barrett 45mins, H Sheridan for Henderson 57mins, C Izuchukwu for Treadwell 52mins, D Shanahan for Doak 53mins, J Humphreys unused W Kok for Moore 57mins, Moore for McIlroy 69mins.
Glasgow Warriors: J McKay, S Cancelliere, S McDowall, S Tuipulotu, K Steyn (capt), T Jordan, J Dobie; J Bhatti, J Matthews, S Talakai, M Williamson, R Gray, M Fagerson, R Darge, H Venter
Replacements: G Hiddleston for Matthews 57mins, N McBeth for Bhatti 46mins, Z Fagerson for Talakai 46mins, A Samuel for M Fagerson 69mins, G Brown for Williamson 46mins, E Ferrie for Venter 57mins, B Afshar unused, A Hastings for McDowall 57mins
Referee: Adam Jones (WRU
We’re going backwards in midfield which is a shame because we’re improving improving otherwise. Bosun Lawal just coming to wins of his injury at Stoke.
I reckon qualifying for the WC heavily depends on he and/or Hodge realizing their potential trial and asking this season strongly. Lawal particularly seems to have the strengths we lack.
@Louis Jacob: He has strength and athleticism but again his passing ability is very poor. He needs to improve this area, otherwise you can’t play him in a two and therefore have to have three in the midfield a la Same problem with Molumby. Hopefully Hodge can progress but he hasn’t shown at his loans that that potential will be realised yet. Basically midfield is in a bad state and we badly need some box to box and sitting midfielder who can pass and dictate play.
@John Clifford: I can’t understand why Azaz isn’t looked at more. He only got 10 mins the other night but EVERYTHING he did was positive. Neat passes, burst forward, athletic, strong and is playing exceptionally well for Carrick. Playing a central midfield of 3 foot Cullen and 4 foot knight is madness. No wonder Finland could drive 4 buses and a mini forklift through us. We are wide open in CM.
@Sean O’Maolain: He is being looked at but the main concern in this team is that we have no decent defensive midfielders. Cullen, Molumby and Smallbone aren’t great but they are the best we’ve got. I still think Smallbone will be decent.
@Louis Jacob:
@John Clifford:
Dylan Watts of Shamrock Rovers has to be mentioned, great player going forward and gets stuck in defensively however he does get the odd booking every now and then but is really good and is experienced. A good leader too and with his performances in Europe lately has to be in the squad better off having him than an extra striker or centre back.
Another mistake!! Coventry could be Josh Cullen’ brother. They play the very same. They give molasses a bad name. Lawal is a Rolls Royce, when he wants to be. Seeing as nobody is going after Goodhram what about Luca Connell at Barnsley? Barnsley are in the top six of League one, mostly due to Connell. If he had not gone to Celtic (like Lawal) he would be in the Championship, at least, by now. He is a Scouser with a bit of bite, a great engine and a sweet left foot. Word is he is no mean left back either!!
@Lenny Breau: he even looks like Josh Cullen
I think you are being harsh on Coventry. He is a good number 6. Yes he is like Cullen. Maybe that is the type of player that West Ham are developing in their academy.
I think he can be a good player. I know he no world beater but he is not as bad as he is being made out to be here.
League 1 players shouldn’t be playing for us
Yeah it’s not a good thing this Coventry getting in to have a look. I am thinking have a look at someone from the league of Ireland out of either the Shels or Rovers team just to make up the numbers. Our midfield options are that poor now.