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CONNACHT WOMEN 12 - 7 ULSTER WOMEN
Connacht delivered a deserved Interprovincial Championship victory to maintain their strong record against Ulster in Dexcom Stadium.
Having suffered a punishing result to Munster, losing 44-5, Connacht were looking for redemption in this second interprovincial of the season, and they achieved it with a superior second-half display - despite losing two players with injury, and having been behind by 7-0 at the break.
Ulster enjoyed that one-score lead courtesy of a single try scored after nine minutes - their physicality making it count, having wrested control from Connacht’s early dominance.
Taking advantage of two successive penalties to lay the platform, Ulster successfully recycled the ball twice before the powerful Siobhan Sheeran crashed through three tackles.
Ulster then dominated the next 20 minutes, save a 16th minute Connacht penalty. However the home side failed to capitalise on this rare incursion into their 22 - the ball having been kicked dead from a penalty.
It gave Ulster the momentum to take control for the next 20 minutes - their physicality forcing Connacht onto the back foot.
But, the home side’s indefatigable defence kept the visitors out on three occasions with impressive tackling and accurate counter-rucking, and they looked more dangerous on the resumption, playing in the right areas of the field and using the wind advantage.
Camped on the line, they should have scored, but a misplaced pass went into touch and their best scoring opportunity was lost, while Hannah Clarke was always threatening with ball in hand and Creggs’ No 8 Jemima Adams Verling continued to power over the gain line on regular occasions. However, Ulster maintained their defensive discipline to keep the home side at bay, while Meabh Clenaghan continued to make a nuisance of herself in the loose.
Connacht were not helped when losing outhalf Kayla Waldron, who had just returned from a major leg injury that had ruled her out for more than a year. It delayed the action for some 10 minutes before the Railway Union player was stretchered off the field - not helping the home side that had enjoyed increasing momentum.
However good work at the break down from lock Poppy Garvey and Adams Verling delivered another opportunity for the home side, but it was the introduction of Faithe Oviawe that provided renewed incentive to Connacht’s forward momentum. After several attempts, the flanker forced her way over to score a well-deserved try, with Eabha Nic Dhonnacha adding the conversion.
It levelled the score 7-7 after 54 minutes before a scrum penalty provided the home side with another chance to copper fasten the win. From a kick to touch, they made it count - Oviawe helping prop Roisin Maher to push through for what would become the winning score - Nic Dhonnacha’s conversion inches wide of the posts.
Connacht, on the front foot and ahead by 12-7, carved another try scoring opportunity, but were held up by the Ulster pack. However, with the breeze behind them, the home side continued to dominate possession and territory, while also losing second player Emily Foley to another serious injury.
However, they held on for a well-deserved victory, and now now take on Leinster next week in what is effectively a semi-final, while Ulster will face an unbeaten Munster side.
Connacht: C Barrett (UL Bohemian RFC), E Foley (Galwegians RFC), O Dixon (Galwegians RFC),É Nic Dhonnacha (UL Bohemian RFC), H Clarke (Old Belvedere RFC),K Waldron (Railway Union RFC),G Moran (Galwegians RFC), H Coen (Creggs RFC),L Brady (UL Bohemian RFC),R Maher (Galwegians RFC), P Garvey (Railway Union), G Browne Moran (Galwegians RFC), B Gleeson (Tuam/Oughterard RFC), A Quinn (Galwegians RFC), J Adams Verling (Creggs RFC). Replacements, S Hanley (Galwegians RFC),E Connolly (Galwegians RFC); H Lowney (MU Barnhall RFC); F Oviawe (Railway Union RFC); C Morrissey (Ennis/Kilrush RFC); L Ring (Old Belvedere), A Ryder (Blackrock College RFC), F Ní Bhraonáin (Tuam/Oughterard RFC).
Ulster: K Farrell McCabe, L Thompson, S Sheerin, TO’Neill, N Marley, L Farrell McCabe, G Boyce; S Roberts, M Clenaghan, A Fannin, L Darley, B Barr, M Hill, R Starrett, Ia Daley (cpt). Replacements: C McLean, M Simpson, S Barrett, R Beacom, K Hetherington, S Meeke, K McCormill, S Sloan.
Referee: John Purcell (IRFU)
