Ulster storm back from 21 down to snatch derby draw with Munster
Ulster wiped out a 21-point half-time deficit to draw 26-26 with Munster in a breathless Irish derby in Belfast.
The BKT United Rugby Championship Round 3 tie at Affidea Stadium on Saturday, 10 October 2026 looked gone for the home side. Munster led 26-5 at the break, only for Ulster to hit back with three second-half tries and level it through Stuart McCloskey three minutes from time, according to BBC Sport.
McCloskey's late score capped a remarkable fightback. A try — five points for touching the ball down over the opposition line — had seemed beyond Ulster for much of the first half. They then found a way through again and again after the restart, with Murphy adding all three conversions, the two-point kicks that follow a try.
Jacob Stockdale led the charge on a special personal occasion. The winger scored twice on his 150th appearance for Ulster, with David McCann also crossing before McCloskey's equaliser sent the home crowd into full voice.
Munster had done the early damage. Alex Kendellen scored twice, with Marnus van der Merwe and Dan Kelly also going over, and Hanrahan kicked three conversions to build that commanding half-time lead. The visitors could not add to it after the break as Ulster's energy and handling took over.
The result keeps both sides searching for a first clean win of the story so far. It was Ulster's second draw in a row, following a 33-33 tie with Glasgow the previous week, after they had lost their opening match of the season to Edinburgh. Munster had arrived in Belfast after beating the Bulls 26-22.
What makes this stand out is the swing in momentum. Ulster were flat and far behind at half-time. They finished the stronger, faster side, and almost turned a lost game into a famous win.
