Robbie Ryan celebrated his return to representative hockey by knocking in a 41st minute equaliser and then notching a last minute winner for Munster, as the defending champions beat Ulster 2-1 when the interprovincial championship got underway at Grange Road last night.

Julian Stevenson had given Ulster a first half lead; but Munster deserved to get on terms. Ultimately, though, the goalkeeper Wesley Bateman needed to be at his sharpest before Ryan put away the winner.