Bernard Jackman believes Ian Madigan's dramatic winning penalty is a pivotal moment for Ulster as they ended a seven-year wait to reach the Guinness Pro14 final against Leinster.
A comeback against Edinburgh in Saturday night's semi-final was a positive note for the province after struggling to find their best form since rugby resumed following the hiatus caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
And it was former Leinster out-half Madigan's kick from range that capped off a stirring display in the closing stages.
"He just nailed it and it's brilliant. He's a guy who has done great things in an Irish jersey and Leinster jersey and to see him back, I think it's going to be really rewarding for him and it was a huge moment for Ulster Rugby because they haven't been playing well post-lockdown," Jackman told RTÉ Radio 1's Sunday Sport.
"But now they are in a final and there is no pressure on them."
What impressed Jackman most about the winning kick was that, in theory, it was not on the ideal aside for a right-footed kicker to take it from.
"It was on the wrong side and it would have let Edinburgh off the hook," he said, before touching on the roots of the comeback via the impact of the bench.
"Ulster deserve massive credit the way they fought back. They were only 5-0 down at half-time, despite not having played well.
"And then they were 19-7 down and you couldn't see them coming back. But the bench came on.
"Dan McFarland took a bit of a risk. He had six internationals on the bench, really experienced guys like Treadwell, Jack McGrath, Marty Moore, Alby Mathewson.
"[Mathewson] was the other high-profile signing over the summer. Mathewson came on at half-time and his experience and his skill was excellent and they started to get a bit more front foot ball and then Madigan comes on and you couldn't have anyone better in a pressure situation."
Madigan, Jackman added, had "already repaid a lot of the investment in him in a short space of time".
