Dan McFarland’s men travelled to Galway hoping to carry on their fine start to the season, following wins against Zebre Parma and Vodacom Bulls.
In a much changed side, Ulster’s Head Coach gave first Ulster starts to tighthead prop James French and flanker Reuben Crothers. Eric O’Sullivan, John Andrew, Harry Sheridan, Dave Shanahan, Aaron Sexton, Stewart Moore, Ben Moxham and Ethan McIlroy also made their first starts of the season.
The game took off with a fast start, although Ulster received an early blow as debutant Crothers had to come off with an HIA after crashing into Langley-Martin.
The opening period of the game was a tight encounter, with Connacht having the majority of possession. David McCann, who was on for Crothers, made an outstanding tackle to stop Blade from piercing through Ulster’s backline, with the Belfast man also making a huge turnover ball to clear Ulster’s lines.
Connacht’s captain, Jack Carty, kicked Connacht into an early 3-0 lead, only for Jake Flannery to reply with a penalty kick of his own minutes later to level the score line.
Ulster had came close to getting their opening try of the match as Jake Flannery whipped the ball out to the left wing to the open Aaron Sexton, who was pushed into touch by the onrushing Ralston.
The move only fired Ulster’s engines up as after the half hour mark, back-rower Harry Sheridan pounced on a loose ball from a ruck and galloped forward towards the Connacht tryline, as Sheridan was hauled to the floor, he managed to pop the ball out to the supporting run of Jake Flannery who finished despite Connacht’s desperate shirt pull.
Flannery converted his own try to send the Ulstermen into a well-earned 3-10 lead.
Soon after Ulster forced another penalty and Flannery coolly dispatched a kick for another three.
Ulster’s defence was put under serious pressure but held out well to ensure they headed into the break with the ascendency.
HT 3-13
With the lead at ten points, Ulster came out for the second half on the front foot.
An inspired run and offload from James Hume found Aaron Sexton, who sped away up the Connacht 22. Sexton was given a great support line from Dave Shanahan, who received the ball with work to do. The scrum half expertly finished the attack off, feinting and running around the Connacht defender to dive over the line
The ice cool Flannery nailed his third kick of the night to put the lead at 3-20.
Ulster were then dealt a heavy blow as James Hume had to come off with an HIA, after a fantastic 45 minute display.
The home side replied very soon after, with Carty kicking to the corner and an attack from the lineout resulting in Cathal Forde sprinting over for the home side’s opening try. Carty sent his kick through the posts for the extra two.
The Galway crowd had their spirits raised and the home side were now fully chasing their next try.
Carty again was at the forefront for Connacht’s second try, finding Tom Farrell who found a gap in Ulster’s defensive set. Carty’s kick was accurate and he rallied the home support, who sensed a turning point in the contest.
Ulster had the chance to add three points from a penalty in the Connacht half but Flannery was unable to convert, with the wind curling his strike off target.
There was another proud moment for the Ulster Academy as lock Joe Hopes came on for his Senior debut, marking a proud moment for the Ireland U20 player.
Ulster showed more of the defensive grit as despite a bombardment of Connacht pressure, the team managed to hold up Prendergast’s attempt past the whitewash.
Carty would have a penalty opportunity minutes later, with the marksman missing the kick from favourable range.
However, with less than ten minutes on the clock, the ten was influential again in the match, as his cross-field kick finding Kilgallen who sprinted onto the kick to land the killer blow to Ulster.
Carty’s kick was missed, meaning the lead was a narrow two heading into the final minutes but the home side managed to hold out by winning a penalty and running the ball into touch for the final whistle.
Ulster fans sang their hearts out in the west coast wind, and applauded the efforts of the players as the team made their way around the ground to thank their support.
Ulster left with their heads held high, and a losing bonus point for the tight encounter. McFarland's men will look to bounce straight back as they face their next interpro derby next Friday against Munster at Kingspan Stadium.
FT: 22-20
Teams
Ulster Rugby:
(1-8) Eric O'Sullivan, John Andrew, James French; Alan O'Connor (capt), Harry Sheridan; Matty Rea, Reuben Crothers, Nick Timoney.
(15-9) Ethan McIlroy; Aaron Sexton, James Hume, Stewart Moore, Ben Moxham; Jake Flannery, Dave Shanahan
Replacements: Tom Stewart, Andy Warwick (O’Sullivan), Greg McGrath (French), Joe Hopes (Rea), David McCann (Crothers), Nathan Doak (Shanahan), Billy Burns (Flannery), Ben Carson (Hume).
Connacht:
(1-8) Denis Buckley, Dylan Tierney-Martin, Jack Aungier; Oisín Dowling, Joe Joyce; Shamus Hurley-Langton, Conor Oliver, Cian Prendergast.
(15-9) Tiernan O'Halloran; Byron Ralston, Tom Farrell, Cathal Forde, Diarmuid Kilgallen; Jack Carty, Caolin Blade;
Replacements: Tadgh McElroy, Jordan Duggan, Dominic Robertson-McCoy, Niall Murray, Jarrad Butler, Colm Reilly, David Hawkshaw, Andrew Smith.
Scorers
Ulster:
TRY: Flannery, Shanahan
CONS: Flannery x2
PENS: Flannery x2
Connacht:
TRY: Forde, Farrell ,Kilgallon
CONS: Carty x2
PENS: Carty x1