Ulster 25

Connacht 25

FLATTERING Connacht were caught at the post in Saturday’s Women’s Inter-Provincial against Ulster at the Kingspan Stadium.

Two tries from full back Maebh Deely helped to put the Westerners in the driving seat, but a late flourish friom Ulster ensured a share of the spoils.

It looked like the hosts were down and out when they trailed 25-11 with less than eight minutes remaining but India Daley and Stacey Sloan scored close-range tries – which were both converted by Vicky Irwin –  to force a stalemate outcome.

Ulster had defeated Connacht in Cork in last season’s championship for their first Inter-pro victory since 2012 and came into the game with high hopes.

They had more of the play in the opening half but Connacht were better able to convert their chances and scored impressive first-half tries through Faith Oviawe and Deely.

Laoise McGonagle and Deely scored two five pointers in the second half, either side of a fine effort from Lucy Thompson.

A Deely penalty pushed Connacht’s lead out to 14 points late on but Ulster, who also scored late tries to secure two bonus points last weekend against Munster, were not done and finished much stronger to carve out the draw.

It was Ulster who broke the deadlock after a poor opening where both sides made numerous handling errors.

Out-half Abby Moyle struck over a penalty in the 11th minute after the Connacht defence failed to roll away with Ulster on the attack on the 22.

The game sprung to life just into the second quarter when Deely ran in from 25 yards to finish off a well executed move involving Nicole Fowley, McGonagle and Clara Bennett.

The hosts, with Hogan prominent throughout, responded with another Moyle penalty but it was the fast hands of the Connacht attackers that were making the most impact.

Lively winger McGonagle was involved in their second try when her offload in midield found Karly Tierney, who popped the ball to Oviawe.

The back row, promoted from the bench after her brace against Leinster last weekend, spotted room on the outside and burned three Ulster defenders before touching down to give the visitors a 10-6 lead at half-time.

McGonagle got her name on the scoresheet just after the break when she was in the right place to take Orla Dixon’s offload and score in the corner.

Pictured: Connacht’s Meabh Deeley making the hard yards against Ulster in Saturday’s Women’s Inter-Provincial at Kingspan Stadium.