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Ulster coach Richie Murphy: 'I thought it was incredible'

By Simon Thomas
Werner Kok of Ulster celebrates after the United Rugby Championship match between Ulster and Glasgow Warriors at The Kingspan Stadium in Belfast. (Photo By Ben McShane/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Ulster coach Richie Murphy hailed a “really special” win following his team’s last gasp 20-19 triumph over champions Glasgow at the Kingspan Stadium.

“I thought it was incredible the way the lads just stuck at it,” he said.

“We didn’t play our best rugby by a long way. We were put under a lot of pressure from a really good Glasgow team, but we stuck in it, which is something we are trying to build, and to get the win at the end was really special.

“The lads rolled up their sleeves and, in the end, got the job done.

“I’m really happy to come away with the win because we were playing against a really good side.

“But we are going to have to learn quickly, because that’s not going to be good enough on most nights.”

Skipper Iain Henderson added: “One thing we spoke about before the game was making sure the guys were fighting right to the end and, fair play to them, they did that.”

Replacement scrum-half Dave Shanahan was the match-winning hero, dabbing down from close range five minutes into stoppage time, with his try being confirmed after a TMO review.

“I was a tiny bit nervous. I celebrated a bit early and then I saw the ref go to check it, but I was happy to get over in the end,” he said.

Giving his thoughts, Glasgow flanker Rory Darge added: “We are gutted after that, but fair play to Ulster, they were class. It was a physical game.

“A lot of matches have come down to the last minute this weekend in the first round of the season.”