PICTURES: Take a look back as legendary Munster Rugby trio depart Thomond Park

MUNSTER Rugby gave departing trio Stephen Archer, Conor Murray and Peter O'Mahony the perfect send-off in May when the home side clinically dispatched of Ulster in Thomond Park in May. 

gave departing trio Stephen Archer, Conor Murray and Peter O'Mahony the perfect send-off in May when the home side clinically dispatched of Ulster in Thomond Park in May. 

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The trio received a huge ovation from the home supporters as the 2023 champions side secured what was a famous win against their inter-pro rivals. 

The trio of players have made more than 700 appearances for the province between them.

Munster, who led 24-20 at half-time, scored six tries in all, with Man of the Match Tom Farrell grabbing a brace, while prop Michael Milne, captain and British and Irish Lion Tadhg Beirne and hooker Niall Scannell also dotted down.

Centre Farrell scored five tries against Ulster in the URC this season after grabbing a hat-trick in the reverse fixture last December in Belfast.

Out-half Jack Crowley converted four of Munster's six tries. 

Ulster were 17-10 ahead after 25 minutes following tries for Stuart McCloskey and Jude Postlethwaite, while Munster’s lineout short-comings were hampering their progress.

Tries from prop Michael Milne and centre Farrell had kept Munster right in the contest, but out-half Crowley had some early struggles off the tee, missing both conversions.

Ulster's lead was not to last as Jack Murphy was charged down by Beirne as he tried to clear his lines, with the British and Irish Lions selection gathering the loose ball to put his his side ahead for good.

The last of the six first-half tries brought up Munster's bonus point when hooker Scannell crashed over from a maul.

Ulster did reduce the deficit to four points before the interval with another Murphy penalty. However, they would prove to be the visitors final points of the derby.

Munster took control of the contest in the 54th minute when Stuart McCloskey was sent to the sin-bin for kicking the ball out of the ruck. The home side then scored off the next play.

This time making quick use of their numerical superiority, Munster scored as Farrell hit a direct line off Nankivell to crash in under the posts. Crowley duly added the extras for 31-20.

The hosts' sixth try arrived just before the hour and was the most popular of the night as O'Mahony soared high above Nathan Doak to claim Crowley's pinpoint crossfield kick and dot down.

The Munster legend was replaced soon after to a huge ovation from the Limerick crowd.

SCORERS: Munster Rugby: Tom Farrell two tries, Tadhg Beirne, Michael Milne, Niall Scannell, Peter O'Mahony try each, Jack Crowley four cons. Ulster Rugby: Stuart McCloskey, Jude Postlethwaite try each, Jack Murphy two pens, two cons,

MUNSTER RUGBY: Thaakir Abrahams, Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Diarmuid Kilgallen, Jack Crowley, Craig Casey, Michael Milne, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer, Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne (Capt), Peter O'Mahony, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes. Replacements: Tom Ahern for Kleyn (49 mins), Lee Barron for Scannell, Josh Wycherley for Milne, Alex Kendellen for Hodnett (all 56 mins), Fineen Wycherley for O’Mahony (62 mins), John Ryan for Archer (64 mins), Conor Murray for Casey (66 mins), Milne for Coombes (69 mins). Seán O’Brien for Beirne (77 mins).

ULSTER: Michael Lowry, Rob Baloucoune, Jude Postlethwaite, Stuart McCloskey, Jack Stockdale, Jack Murphy, Nathan Doak, Andrew Warwick, Rob Herring, Scott Wilson, Iain Henderson (Capt), Cormac Izuchukwu, Matty Rea, Nick Timoney, James McNabney. Replacements: Tom O’Toole for Baloucoune (20-26 mins) and for Wilson (54 mins), David McCann for Rea (48 mins), Callum Reid for Warwick )50 mins), Alan O’Connor for Henderson, Werner Kok for Baloucoune (61 mins), Tom Stewart for Herring (63 mins), Dave Shanahan for Doak (64 mins), Stewart Moore for McCloskey (69 mins).