Ulster secure Champions Cup spot
In addition to Gilroy’s double, Kieran Treadwell also crossed before Jacob Stockdale’s late interception sealed the victory for the province who finished fourth in Pro14 Conference B.
The Ospreys had opened the scoring through skipper Alun Wyn Jones while Jeff Hassler and Dan Biggar also went over in the second half.
But Ulster proved too strong in the end to finish a tough season on a high and maintain their unbroken run of playing in Europe’s top competition.
On Jono Gibbes’ final game at the helm, Ulster – already without Rory Best and Iain Henderson through injury – were hit by Charles Piutau and Ross Kane also pulling out pre-kick off.
The province started slowly as a result, and the Ospreys should have taken an early lead but Biggar’s penalty came back off the post.
Considering Ospreys didn’t score a try at the Kingspan a month ago in the regular season meeting, they didn’t have to wait long for the opening score and it was their skipper Jones who provided it.
A rolling maul took the Ospreys close and then the lock burrowed over from close range and Biggar slotted the conversion for a deserved 7-0 lead for the visitors.
The game was largely being played around the halfway line by two edgy teams with everything to lose but Cooney did slot a penalty to get Ulster on the board.
Biggar then hit the posts again on his final game for the Ospreys and Ulster hit back before the break.
Stuart McCloskey made a big carry up the middle and then it was his midfield partner Luke Marshall who sent a perfectly-judged kick to the corner that sat up nicely for Gilroy.
Cooney could not add the extras however and Ulster led 8-7 at the break.
Straight on the resumption, Ulster stretched that advantage and it was Gilroy again, dribbling the ball over the line and dotting down after Cooney’s interception had released him.
The scrumhalf also added the extras and Ulster were 15-7 ahead and dominant.
Biggar’s clearance was then charged down to put the Ospreys under more pressure and Treadwell eventually forced his way over, Cooney’s conversion making it a 15-point lead.
Back came the Welsh region however, James Hook off the bench and almost in the left corner but for a fine covering tackle from Luke Marshall who injured himself in the process.
Eventually the pressure told as Hassler fought off Stockdale to go over in the right corner but Biggar missed with the extras.
Cooney put the game to bed late on with a penalty to make it 25-12 before Stockdale juggled a Hook pass and then stormed clear for Ulster’s fourth try.
Biggar got a late consolation on his farewell game for the Ospreys but his rushed drop goal extras came back off the post again to sum up a disappointing day.
The scorers:
For Ulster:
Tries: Gilroy 2, Treadwell, Stockdale
Cons: Cooney 3
Pens: Cooney 3
For Ospreys:
Tries: Jones, Hassler, Biggar
Con: Biggar
Teams:
Ulster: 15 Louis Ludik, 14 Craig Gilroy, 13 Luke Marshall, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Jonny McPhillips, 9 John Cooney, 8 Nick Timoney, 7 Sean Reidy, 6 Robbie Diack, 5 Kieran Treadwell, 4 Alan O’Connor, 3 Tom O’Toole, 2 Rob Herring (captain), 1 Callum Black.
Replacements: 16 John Andrew, 17 Andy Warwick, 18 Tom O'Toole , 19 Jack Regan, 20 Chris Henry, 21 Dave Shanahan, 22 Darren Cave, 23 Craig Gilroy.
Ospreys: 15 Sam Davies, 14 Jeff Hassler, 13 Ashley Beck, 12 Owen Watkin, 11 Hanno Dirksen, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Tom Habberfield, 8 James King, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Alun Wyn Jones (captain), 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Dmitri Arhip, 2 Scott Otten, 1 Nicky Smith.
Replacements: 16 Ifan Phillips, 17 Rhodri Jones, 18 Ma’afu Fia, 19 Adam Beard, 20 Sam Cross, 21 Matthew Aubrey, 22 Cory Allen, 23 James Hook.
Referee: Marius Mitrea
Assistant referees: Mike Adamson, Gianluca Gnecchi
TMO: Andrew McMenemy
@PRO14Official
