Ulster have claimed a valuable intepro victory against Connacht in the URC but things could have been different had certain events not gone their way.
The hosts were in a fierce battle with their rivals at Ravenhill despite leading 19-5 with the help of tries from John Andrew, Jude Postlethwaithe and Man of the Match John Cooney.
Connacht's Joe Joyce then crashed over before scrum-half Ben Murphy scored a stunning solo score against his father's side.
40 nóim #ULSvCON@UlsterRugby - 19@connachtrugby - 17
Úd den scoth faighte ag Ben Murphy díreach roimh leath ama
Great solo try from Ben Murphy just before half time@URCOfficial @IrishRugby #IrishRugby #URC #WildeAparthotels #Wilde pic.twitter.com/6kkGFEgi00— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) October 12, 2024
Dylan Tierney-Martin would level the game before a penalty from Cooney put his side 27-24 ahead as Ulster tried to use their numbers to their advantage.
Connacht lock Josh Murphy had been brandished a red card for a poor challenge, undermining their comeback bid.
Ireland international Nick Timoney extended that advantage with what turned out to be a match-winning try, as Ulster held out for a 32-27 win.
77 nóim #ULSvCON@UlsterRugby - 32@connachtrugby - 24
Úd faighte ag Nick Timoney gar do dheiridh an chluiche
Nick Timoney gets a try for Ulster to seal the game for Ulster @URCOfficial @IrishRugby #IrishRugby #URC #WildeAparthotels #Wilde pic.twitter.com/vnDloMiBL9— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) October 12, 2024
Ulster Score Controversial Winning Try Vs Connacht
The TV cameras did not pick up anything of note when it came to Timoney's score, the loose forward getting over the line off the back of a maul from his side's lineout.
However, a picture from the game has since emerged showing Ulster hooker James McCormick stood in-field as he threw the lineout prior to that winning score.
Former England star turned pundit Andy Goode reposted the image - originally shared by user @Hughie1996 - on Twitter where he lamented the fact the try had stood.
"This is getting silly now with hookers, it leads to the match winning try, how’s the assistant ref or TMO not seen that?!"
This is getting silly now with hookers, it leads to the match winning try, how’s the assistant ref or TMO not seen that?! 📸 from @hughie1986 pic.twitter.com/ZI0bQCcqI9
— Andy Goode (@AndyGoode10) October 12, 2024
Former Ireland player Bernard Jackman reposted Goode's Tweet on the social media platform.
It is a surprise that the sideline official did not pick up on the infringement given how close he was stood to McCormick at the time.
It is not the only controversial call from Saturday's interpro action, with Calvin Nash's chalked-off try also dividing opinion from Munster's loss to Leinster.
