Richie Murphy hailed his young side as Ulster ended a five-game losing streak with a shock win over Connacht in the URC.
Murphy handed first starts to son Jack, and Rory Telfer, while Wilheim De Klerk made a debut off the bench.
Captain Alan O'Connor and Ireland hooker Rob Herring withdrew before kick-off while Mike Lowry was also a doubt.
Despite this, and the absence of Iain Henderson and Stuart McCloskey, the visitors were good value for their 17-7 victory.
"A lot of things went against us during the week, a lot of things went against us in the warm-up.
"Mike Lowry, we weren’t quite sure if he would get through the game, for him to put in that performance was incredible.
"Rob Herring pulled up in the warm-up and then James McCormick comes onto the bench and then into the game within 10 minutes. It just shows the strength that’s growing in the group.
Connacht 7-17 Ulster
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) December 28, 2024
Ulster head coach Richie Murphy: "I thought the lads were incredible tonight. A lot of things were going against us this week, a lot of things went against us even in the warm-up. It shows you the strength that's growing in the group." pic.twitter.com/5dcYwKGho2
"We are also missing a fair few top players so for young boys to come up and come up against a backline like they did and defend the way they did, I was really proud of them."
Ulster scored tries at the start of both halves and limited Connacht to a single Mack Hansen try before half-time.
They made 158 tackles and won eight turnovers as they constantly spoiled the hosts’ possession when they threatened to close the gap.
"It’s been there but it’s only been there in fits and starts," Murphy said of his team’s tenacious defending.
"Probably a little bit more during the week we’ve talked about our defence. Jonny Bell [defence coach] has done a really good job on focusing the lads on what’s important.
"But the boys have to go out there and do it, their line speed, pressure on the ball was very good. I still think our tackling can be better but we are really happy.
"We are going away with four points after five losses on the bounce, it shows the character of the team to come back like that."
After consecutive URC and Champions Cup defeats to Munster, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Leinster and Cardiff, Ulster are up to eighth in the table and Murphy believes this win can be a platform for the rest of the season.
"I think there’s way more in us than that," added the former Ireland U20s head coach, whose side next face Leicester on 11 January.
"What I loved about tonight was the commitment to the jersey, the commitment to each other, the hard work that the lads put in, they never took a backwards stop.
"I’m really happy with that. Especially on the attack side I think there’s way more in us.
"We’ll have a mini break and get ready for Leicester."
