Murphy 'bitterly disappointed' but 'proud' of 14-man Ulster

Head coach Richie Murphy says he was "bitterly disappointed" as Munster scored a last-gasp try to inflict a fifth defeat in a row on 14-man Ulster.

Ulster took the lead through prop Tom O'Toole, who was then shown a red card after Farrell scored the first of his three tries.

Farrell struck again after the restart, but Harry Sheridan hit back for the 14 men.

However, after Shane Daly and James McNabney exchanged tries, Farrell had the decisive say with the final play to give Munster 22-19 win in Belfast.

"I thought we found a way of getting back into the game. I'm incredibly proud of the lads' commitment and performance, but we just need to be better in the really big moments," said the Ulster coach.

After O'Toole scored the opening try, the prop was sent off after referee Ben Whitehouse deemed he had fallen on the leg of centre Alex Nankivell at a ruck 10 minutes before half-time.

Murphy said it was a "tough" call but was pleased with how his side responded.

"Obviously the red card is a big moment in the game," he added.

"It's a tough red card because he is through the gate and makes contact square on. He's not through the side, but as he falls backwards his leg comes out and Tom falls on it.

"I can kind of understand that, but it is difficult because it's not an illegal act at the start."

'I'm not sure how it's not a yellow card'

Tom Farell scored a hat-trick as Munster broke 14-man Ulster's resolve

Murphy questioned the decision of Whitehouse not to award a yellow card midway through the second half when prop Scott Wilson made 40 metres with a break and the visitors infringed on their own line.

"He runs 40 metres, we get to the line and they give away a penalty.

"I'm not sure how that's not a yellow card and then the game would change."

In a further blow to Murphy, centre Stuart McCloskey and wing Zac Ward were forced off in the first half, and impressive flanker McNabney was injured in the build-up to Farrell's match-winning score.

That led to a reshuffle across the backline, which Murphy described as a "bit of a mess" as Ulster got to grips with the injuries and O'Toole's red card.

Ulster are already without a number of senior backs through injury, including Jacob Stockdale, Nathan Doak, Stewart Moore and Ben Moxham.

"We had two academy backs on the bench. Stuart McCloskey, where will he be next week? I'm not sure he'll be playing as he came off with a hamstring injury," added Murphy.

"Zac Ward rolled his ankle. We don't actually have any more senior backs. We'll see what the return will be like for next week but there's not lads queuing to get back on the pitch, let's put it that way.

"We'll probably be going into the academy again or maybe even club land."