| Connacht 12 Ulster 14 | |||||
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  Andrew Browne goes over to score his first Connacht try at the Sportsground on Friday evening. Photo: INPHO/Cathal Noonan Connacht 12 Ulster 14 Connacht’s hopes of completing a domestic treble over the other Irish provinces ended in bitter disappointment at the Sportsground on Friday night. A superb breakaway try from Fionn Carr cut Ulster’s interval deficit to 11-5 and with the strong wind at their backs in the second-half, hopes were high for a Connacht success. Connacht had defended well in the opening half with the Ulster scores coming from Ian Humphreys’ penalties either side of a Simon Danielli try. Flanker Andrew Browne got Connacht’s second try nine minutes after the restart and Ian Keatley landed the touchline conversion for a lead of 12-11. However, Connacht conceded a penalty at the other end almost immediately and Clinton Schifcofske converted to put Ulster back in front. Connacht dominated the final half hour but just could not get back in front despite plenty of opportunities. They seemed poised to be awarded a match-winning penalty try in the closing minutes after Fionn Carr was fouled as he chased his own kick but a penalty was the decision and unfortunately Ian Keatley was off target from 25 metres. Connacht: Tries: Carr, Browne Con: Keatley Ulster: Try: Danielli Pens: Humphreys (2), Schifofske Connacht: T Nathan; F Carr, G Duffy, K Matthews, L Bibo; I Keatley, F Murphy; B Wilkinson, S Cronin, R Loughney; M Swift, A Farley; A Browne, R Ofisa, J Muldoon. Replacements: B McGovern for Loughney, 50 mins; C Rigney for Browne, 69 mins; D Gannon for Ofisa, 78 mins. Ulster: I Boss; C Schifcofske, D Cave, I Whitten, S Danielli; I Humphreys, P Marshall; T Court, R Best, BJ Botha, E O'Donoghue, C Del Fava, S Ferris, C Henry, R Diack. Replacements: N O’Connor for Humphreys, 50 mins; R Caldwell for Del Fava, 50 mins; B Young for Court, 52 mins; R Dewey for Cave, 70 mins; T Nagusa for Marshall, 78 mins; N Brady for Best, 80 mins. Referee: A Lewis (IRFU). |
| Last Updated ( Friday, 08 May 2009 22:15 ) |  |
