Munster head coach Johann van Graan says he's 'proud' of how his team rallied to secure a losing bonus point against Ulster in their Guinness Pro14 clash on Friday night.
Replacement out-half Bill Johnston slotted over a late penalty to ensure the travelling side didn't leave Kingspan Stadium empty handed, as they lost out to Ulster by seven points.
Munster were emphatic winners in the previous Pro14 clash between the sides back in September, and Van Graan admitted to RTÉ Sport after the game that they knew Ulster would produce a response at home.
"I said to the team inside that we really put our heart and soul into this one and we knew Ulster were going to come out firing after what happened in Thomond Park.
"I think the guys got stuck in for 80 minutes and unfortunately I thought they took their opportunities better but we'll take that bonus point and move on."
"It was a fantastic evening, I thought the crowd were excellent. We played against a quality side, looking at what they did in Europe. I think it was a good game of rugby between two quality Irish sides. We weren't quite good enough tonight, but I'll take that point."
Munster conceded three tries and failed to get over the whitewash throughout the 80 minutes, with JJ Hanrahan and Bill Johnston keeping their scoreboard ticking over from the tee.
"We'd love to score four tries in every single game," said Van Graan.
"We conceded two more tries which was pretty disappointing from our side and they scored that turnover try. All credit to Ulster's scrum and defence, I thought that was pretty good.
"We had two opportunities at the end of the second half on that left inside corner and they stopped it."
Munster will close out 2018 with a mouthwatering Pro14 tie against Leinster in Thomond Park next week, a game which Van Graan his side are looking forward to.
The reigning champions welcome Connacht later this evening ahead of that trip to Limerick, with Munster still in second place in Conference A behind Glasgow Warriors thanks to that bonus point result against Ulster.
"It's the last game of 2018 and on a very positive note, Munster haven't lost a league game at Thomond Park in a year. The last one we lost there was against Leinster.
"They went on to win Europe and the Pro14 after that and that's the side that everyone measures themselves against.
"It's a great opportunity for us again next week at home and it's an opponent that we respect very much and I can't for Munster v Leinster at Thomond Park."
