Foley: Munster aim to kick on
The visitors came into the match on the back of three consecutive Pro12 defeats and five losses in all competitions but two penalties and a drop goal for Ian Keatley got them back to winning ways.
Ulster's Paddy Jackson had the chance to snatch victory away in the closing minutes but he was wide with his penalty with Munster moving up to fifth in the table.
And Foley admitted a combination of luck and hard work had seen them over the line.
"It's definitely a starting point," he told RTE. "We were in a bit of a fight, a bit of a quandary, after losing five games on the bounce. We needed to get some momentum.
"Our training and preparation during the week has been excellent for the last five weeks. Just at times when we were out on the pitch we weren't getting that bounce.
"Paddy [Jackson] was unlucky with one of the kicks and we were lucky under the posts when I think Frankie [Van der Merwe] knocked it on.
"We had a bit of luck there so hopefully it's turned a small bit now and we can kick on with that.
"The boys fought hard out there. It wasn't pretty at times but our 9 and 10 managed the game well.
"After a shaky start to the second half, we played them in their own half and forced them to go from deep. We got a bit of change out of that."
Source: @PRO12rugby