Munster get the message

Discipline - the word printed in big, bold letters on several sheets of A4 paper, sellotaped to the coarse walls, the message prominent from any vantage point in the Munster dressingroom.

It offered a specific focus for the players, a reminder from coach Declan Kidney of the pitfalls incurred by a brittle temperament, one that had cost them dearly in the corresponding fixture at Ravenhill earlier in the season. Kidney explained: "That day we conceded 18 penalties and when you have a place-kicker of Simon Mason's ability, the punishment is likely to be severe."

That the Munster players heeded the warning to avoid self inflicted wounds is evident from the final scoreline: Mason was limited to two penalties from three attempts.

Indeed, the only blemish was a yellow card for Peter Clohessy who was a little over vigorous with the boot at a ruck, albeit with some provocation given the avalanche of white jerseys that poured over on the wrong side and buried the ball.

It was also symptomatic of a general frustration that crept into Munster's attitude as a bright opening, descended into error ridden muddling, hardly helped by playing at a tempo akin to a wheezing pensioner. Ruck ball was slow and laboured, poorly conceived options prevalent.

It allowed Ulster to re-group and they managed to claw themselves back to within a couple of points by the interval but that recovery would be undermined by some appallingly sloppy rugby, characterised by poor handling. Munster, sharp and incisive in the opening exchanges, deserved a far greater advantage than the 11 points they managed initially.

The highlight was John Lacey's try, or a Shannon coup de grace as several observers wished to point out. Alan Quinlan fielded a punt, Eddie Halvey weaved through several tacklers before releasing Anthony Foley close to the touchline on halfway. He made 20 yards before timing his pass perfectly for Lacey to canter home.

Quinlan's presence in the best moment of the first half was fitting given that he was the game's outstanding performer. Sharp and hungry in the loose, he carried the ball with great effect and in defence he played with intelligence and authority. One thunderous tackle on Andy Ward midway through the second half epitomised his zest for the game.

Injury had blighted much of the early season for the Tipperaryborn flanker as he later explained: "I tore ligaments in my back towards the end of last season. I played but I could not train. Eventually I need to rest so I missed 10 weeks. This is only my fourth week back. I am still a little bit off the mark, I am two or three weeks away from being 100 per cent." Left out of the recent Irish squad he is keen to prove a point.

"A green jersey is my ambition and I want it this season. I want it very badly; I need to make the World Cup squad. These are personal goals but the priority is to help Munster in whatever capacity. It was in my favour that the team was playing badly when I got back in initially but we have now won four matches in-a-row and are level on 14 points with Leinster."

Clohessy, revelling in his new role at loosehead, Mick O'Driscoll, Halvey and Mick Lynch were conspicuous in their efforts. Munster could even afford to lose Cian Mahony through influenza, switching John Kelly into the centre and introducing John Lacey on the right wing.

In acknowledging Munster's improved second half performance, one must mention Ulster's ineptitude. Only Jonathan Bell, David Humphreys and Ward played with any conviction as the unforced error count mounted to ridiculous proportions.

Munster's focus must now turn to next weekend's clash with Perpignan in France, a three-tiered journey that begins on Wednesday night. A winning habit fostered over recent weeks and the return of injury victims Killian Keane and Ronan O'Gara offer reasons for greater expectation.

Scoring Sequence: 2 mins: Lynch penalty, 3-0; 4: Lacey try, 8-0; 7: Lynch penalty, 110; 13: Mason penalty, 11-3; 36: Mason penalty, 11-6; 39: Humphreys drop goal, 11-9; 45: Lynch penalty, 14-9; 53: Horgan try, 19-9; 72: Foley try, 24-9; 79: Galwey try, Lynch conversion 319.

Munster: B Roche; J Lacey, J Kelly, M Lynch, A Horgan; B Everitt, B O'Meara; P Clohessy, M McDermott, J Hayes; M Galwey (capt), M O'Driscoll; A Quinlan, A Foley, E Halvey. Replacements: P Stringer for O'Meara 52 mins; S Leahy for O'Driscoll 73 mins; I Murray for Hayes 79 mins; F Sheehan for McDermott 79 mins.

Ulster: S Mason; S Coulter, J Bell, C van Rensburg, S McDowell; D Humphreys (capt), A Matchett; J Fitzpatrick, A Clarke, G Leslie; M Rea, G Longwell; S McKinty, D Macartney, A Ward. Replacements: A Park for McDowell 12 mins; R Irwin for Leslie 56 mins; T McWhirter for McKinty 57 mins; S Duncan for McKinty 69 mins; R Weir for Clarke 69 mins.

Referee: G Black (Leinster).