Ulster head coach Richie Murphy was left "massively disappointed" after a thrilling second-half comeback fell agonizingly short against rivals Leinster in Friday's United Rugby Championship derby, leaving his side empty-handed on the scoreboard.

Leinster stormed to a commanding 29-0 lead, powered by tries from James Culhane, Jimmy O'Brien, Robbie Henshaw, and Sam Prendergast in a dominant first-half display. The game, however, transformed after the break when Leinster's Max Deegan received a red card for a high tackle.

Seizing the momentum, Ulster launched a fierce fightback. Tries from Bryn Ward and a double from Zac Ward cut the deficit to 29-21, setting up a nail-biting finale. Despite relentless pressure, Ulster couldn't find the crucial late try that would have secured two valuable bonus points.

Murphy pointed to a missed call in the frantic closing stages, stating, "Jude gets hit in the head and that’s missed... We definitely deserved something out of the game." His frustration was palpable, believing his team's courageous effort warranted a reward.

The result is a tough lesson for an Ulster side riding high from recent Challenge Cup knockout wins. Murphy acknowledged the step up in class, noting that Leinster, even with 12 changes, carried the sharpness of a Champions Cup semi-finalist. "There's good learnings in that for us," he said, praising his players' pride and resilience while vowing to analyze a costly first half. For fans, it was a classic derby reminder of the fine margins and relentless physicality that define top-level rugby.