Late kicks and sad farewells - Ulster and semi-final drama

2019-20 URC - The other Covid one

Ian Madigan's last-gasp penalty booked Ulster's place in the URC final [Getty Images]

Another Covid semi-final, but a different result for Ulster.

After the URC was put on hold because of the Coronavirus pandemic, rugby resumed behind closed doors in August 2020.

While Ulster lost against Connacht and Leinster in the first fixtures back, it was still enough to book a place in the last four.

Edinburgh stood in their way, and it looked to be going the way of the hosts as Stuart McInally, Darcy Graham and Chris Dean gave them a 19-7 lead.

However, Ulster rallied and drew level with five minutes left thanks to tries from Rob Herring and John Andrew, and Ian Madigan's excellent touchline conversion.

With the scores level and the clock in the red, Madigan then nailed a long-distance penalty to spark wild celebrations.

Leinster denied Ulster the ultimate prize in the final, but Madigan's moment was still one to remember.

2018-19 URC - Heavy loss in Glasgow

Ulster travelled to Glasgow in 2019 with hopes of reaching the Pro14 final and to give retiring stalwarts Rory Best and Darren Cave a winning farewell, but they were dismantled by the hosts.

Former Ulster wing Tommy Seymour opened the floodgates with his first try of the game.

Ali Price, Rob Harley, Seymour, Kyle Steyn, and both Peter and George Horne all scored further tries for the hosts.

Marcell Coetzee, Rob Herring and Michael Lowry touched down for Ulster, but the damage had been done.

The final score was 50-20, and it didn't exactly flatter Glasgow, who had put in a superb display.

2015-16 Pro12 - Leinster too strong

Leinster condemned Ulster to a third successive Pro12 semi-final loss [Getty Images]

Heading into the last four of the 2015-16 Pro12 season, Ulster had lost five of their previous six league semi-finals.

But momentum was on their side as Les Kiss' side won five of their final six matches in the regular season to secure a semi-final spot ahead of Scarlets and Munster.

With the famous faces of Rory McIlroy and Niall Horan watching on, any hopes of a trophy were brutally ended by Leinster in a 30-18 loss at the RDS.

Isa Nacewa's early try and Johnny Sexton's boot had the hosts 13-0 up but Craig Gilroy's try helped Ulster hit back.

Jamie Heaslip and Sean Cronin tries put Leinster 30-11 up before Gilroy snapped up his second try of the game, but the hosts had too much as they booked their place in the final, which they lost to Connacht.

Golfer Rory McIlroy and singer Niall Horan were present at the RDS as Ulster lost to Leinster [Getty Images]