CONNACHT 33-19 ULSTER
A brace of tries from Faith Oviawe helped Connacht to a 33-19 victory over Ulster in the Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship third-place play-off.
The hosts played most of the game with 14 players, and a 10-minute spell with 13, when Ireland international Brittany Hogan was sent off in the first half.
Murray Houston’s side, who had played out a 25-25 draw against Connacht in their round-two meeting, battled hard but it was the visitors who finished stronger, running in two late tries to claim their first victory of the campaign.
Tries from Edel McMahon and Oviawe had Connacht 14-7 up at the break, with Sophie Barrett crossing for Ulster.
Hannah Clarke, Oviawe and Beibhinn Gleeson scored the second-half tries with Abby Moyle’s brace proving some consolation for Ulster.
India Daley's early strong running put Ulster on the front foot and moments after Moyles had hit the post with a close-range penalty, they had their first try.
After good hands in the 22, new Ireland call-up Barrett powered over the line with a couple of Connacht defenders in tow. This time Moyles nailed the kick.
Connacht were showing in patches and Oviawe almost broke through but the second row, who will join the Ireland squad as a training panellist, was hauled down by the last defender.
But they were growing into the game and a brilliant pre-planned move saw Nicole Fowley find Meabh Deely with a perfect pass for a run-in from the 22 but the Ireland full-back inexplicably failed to ground the ball correctly under no pressure.
Then came the game’s talking point as the influential Hogan was sent off for what was deemed a dangerous tackle when she lifted Grace Browne Moran above the horizontal.
The Connacht woman landed on her head and despite the presence of another Ulster tackler contact, the officials agreed on a red card.
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— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) August 31, 2024
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They were down to 13 moments later when Lucinda Kinghan went offside close to the line and was sent to the bin.
It didn’t take long for Connacht to take advantage, Ireland co-captain McMahon finding a gap to score from the resulting penalty. Fowley converted to level up the game.
Ulster almost held out until the break but Orla Dixon’s break from her own half set up the position for Connacht to score their second.
The ball was worked to Oviawe after a tap penalty and she continued her scoring streak, grabbing her fifth of the series.
Ulster were back to 14 when they scored their second 10 minutes into the second half.
Abby Moyles 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/VeW0hFB86O
— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) August 31, 2024
Maebh Clenaghan was stopped by three players close to the line but McMahon's rip attempted landed in Moyles' hands and the out-half just had to fall over the line to score.
Deely made amends for her error in the 52nd minute when she ran on to Ulster lock Brenda Barr’s misjudged kick from midfield.
The full-back offloaded between two Ulster defenders and Clarke came on to the ball at speed.
The winger, also in the wider Ireland squad, kicked ahead and won the chase for their third try.
But Ulster responded in kind, Lauren Farrell-McCabe's run got the hosts close to the line and Moyles tapped a quick penalty before darting over and converting her own try to square up the game.
Emer O’Dowd’s side kept up the pressure, however, and after McMahon was held up over the line, they grabbed the winner.
Replacement Emily Foley tricked her way down the wing and after sucking in more defenders the ball came to Oviawe who ran in under the posts for a second try, with Gleeson's score from close range the final act of the game.
Connacht scorers - Tries: Edel McMahon, Faith Oviawe (2) Hannah Clarke, Beibhinn Gleeson
Cons: Nicole Fowley (4)
Ulster scorers - Tries: Sophie Barrett, Abby Moyles (2)
Cons: Abby Moyles
Red card: Brittany Hogan (32m)
Yellow card: Lucinda Kinghan
Connacht: Meabh Deely; Ava Ryder, Orla Dixon, Sarah Purcell, Hannah Clarke; Nicole Fowley (co-capt), Grainne Moran; Ella Burns, Lily Brady, Megan Collis; Faith Oviawe, Grace Browne Moran; Beibhinn Gleeson, Edel McMahon, Shannon Touhey (co-capt).
Replacements: Stacy Hanley, Ellen Connolly, Roisin Maher, Poppy Garvey, Orla Fenton, May Goulding, Éabha Nic Dhonnacha, Emily Foley.
Ulster: Lauren Farrell-McCabe; Lucy Thompson, Catherine Martin, Lucinda Kinghan, Megan Edwards; Abby Moyles, Rachael McIlroy; Ava Fannin, India Daley, Sophie Barrett; Brenda Barr, Cara O'Kane; Moya Hill, Maebh Clenaghan, Brittany Hogan (capt).
Replacements: Christy Hill, Bronach Cassidy, Megan Brodie, Ellen Patterson, Stacey Sloan, Paige Smyth, Lauren Patterson, Peita McAlister.
